Photo of crash scene by Chris Willig
I received word late Sunday afternoon that a cyclist was killed in the hills above Malibu on Saturday morning.
According to an email from Chris Willig, she was riding east on Mulholland Highway at Kanan Road around 9:30 am Saturday when she was hit from behind by a white van.
The victim was reportedly riding on the shoulder of the road, to the right of the fog line, when the van ran off the road. The bicycle was crushed underneath the van; unconfirmed reports indicate the driver may have been speeding and tailgating another vehicle.
Reading between the lines, it’s possible that the driver may have been trying to get around the slower car on the right when he or she hit the rider; however, that’s pure speculation on my part.
CHP reports confirm the collision, and indicate that the rider was transported to UCLA Medical Center at 2 pm in extremely critical condition.
The Flickr account RockStorePhotos.com identifies the victim as Carol Schreder, a regular Saturday rider, and reports that she passed away in the ICU around 10:45 pm.
As Willig put it, this is madding in its senselessness. Schreder appears to have been doing everything right, but died anyway due to a driver’s carelessness and/or impatience.
My prayers for Carol, and all her family and loved ones.
This is the 65th confirmed traffic-related bike fatality in Southern California this year, and the 21st in Los Angeles County.
While the SoCal total is well above the 55 cycling fatalities for each of the last two years on record, it is far below the horrific total of 89 bicycling deaths recorded in 2006. The Los Angeles figure is one below the total of 22 in 2009, the last year on record, as well as below the five-year average of 24.2 fatalities in L.A. County each year.
And please note that the totals for this year are only the fatalities that I am aware of and have been able to confirm in some way. It’s entirely possible there may have been others that I don’t know about.
Photo by Chris Willig
Update: IMDB lists Carol Schreder as a writer and producer on a number of titles, including Mama Flora’s Family, In Love and War, Call to Glory, the Burning Bed and Calendar Girl Murders; there’s also a Carol Schreder listed as owner of the Carol Schreder Company in Topanga, and as a finisher in a number of marathons and triathlons, as well as the Mulholland Challenge century.
Then there’s this piece written five years ago, almost to the day, extolling the virtues — and risks — of riding Topanga Canyon, not far from where this collision occurred.
Update 2: I just received the following comment from Heidi Christensen, who came along the scene shortly after the collision:
My husband and I rode up on the scene about 10 minutes after it happened. Carol was hit by a van pulling a trailer; the driver stopped. From what we heard, the driver said the car in front of him hit the brakes suddenly, then he hit his brakes, jack-knifed, and lost control. It’s hard to figure out, though, because it happened maybe 50 yards from the Mulholland/Kanan intersection (between the Calamigos Ranch driveway and Kanan)….the cars should have already been braking and not carrying much speed. Very tragic and just horribly sad. Judy, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Carol’s family, and all those dear to her.
Oh, and by the way, the EMTs identified her by her Road ID.
Oh my God… I am so sorry to read this, My heart goes out to Carol’s loved ones.
PLEASE DRIVERS, take more caution. PLEASE CHP, please monitor these roads.
chris – did you see the accident or take other pictures? i am a close friend of Carol’s and it would be very important to know this. judy preminger
Judy – I am sorry, but I was by the location on Sunday about noon. The photos I have are from that time (you may have any or all of the images). Given what went on, I was nauseated by the collision scene ephemera. Carol was in the right location at the wrong time. I am trying to followup with the CHP to find out where the investigation goes of what appears to be a case of tailgating and speeding.
As a 3-5 times weekly traveller of this route over the last 4 decades I am in shock.
My condolences to Carol’s family and friends.
Chris Willig
Judy, I have one more photo that Chris sent me which I chose not to use; I’ll forward it to you.
Chris- You should also mention that Carol was VERY badly injured in another accident a few years ago… hit and left by the road to die… found stumbling around on her hands and knees with her bike wrapped around her. She spent a very long time in rehab, and, got back on her bike… only to be killed by this guy who will not even get a ticket though I’d get a ticket for jaywalking.
Carol was a VERY beautiful and caring lovely person. We are devastated by this news. Devastated by her loss.
Judy,
My sincere condolences on the sudden loss of your dear friend.
I just heard about this tragic accident and am seeking information on Carol’s family and some background, possibly a photo, to write it up for the Topanga Messenger. I can be reached at (310) 455-1303 or editor@topangamessenger.com.
Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Best regards,
Flavia Potenza, Editor
I arrived on the scene just after the accident and as the only physician on the scene, rendered what medical assistance I could. I can confirm the details above with regards to the fact that Carol was probably doing everything necessary to ride safely. She had a rear flashing light that was operating at the time, it was still flashing when I arrived. It was a clear sunny day with typical SoCal visibility. She was wearing a helmet, sadly the helmet was not sufficient since her only significant injury seemed to be a head injury. Her bike, which was still under the right front wheel of the truck, was inside the fog line.
Speculating from what was at the scene at the time, the truck, which had a fairly heavily laden truck bed, was approaching the intersection too fast. There was a car in front that was stopped and the truck fishtailed when the driver braked. In doing this, it hit Carol who was riding in the bike lane. Quite weird since it was about 200 yards back from the stop street.
Rob, your observation is the same as mine. I saw you with Carol just before the CHP showed up. I had a close call with the van just moments before. The guy seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere. I do not agree with the CHP at all. I called them but they are not interested in my observation of the behavior or the scene. I am not comfortable with the fact that this guy is still driving around up there and I am supposed to do a charity ride up “Rock Store” this weekend.
Thanks for the information, Rob. And thanks for using your training to do what you could for Carol. It touches me deeply to know that so many people stopped to help a total stranger in her final moments.
It also serves as a reminder that while bike helmets are vital protection, they can’t perform miracles. A bike helmet is only designed to offer protection at an impact speed of up to 14 mph, and offer little or no benefit at highway speeds.
The best way to remain safe is to avoid collisions; unfortunately, as Rob points out, sometimes you can do everything right and still suffer the consequences of someone else’s actions.
Thank you Judy for your beautiful picture and kind words in her obituary… you captured Carol’s light. She was loved and is missed.
http://www.topangamessenger.com/story_detail.php?ArticleID=4897
🙁
When I first heard about this crash, all I knew was that it was somewhere along Mulholland, east of Kanan Road. And I found myself speculating about how it might have happened … a mix-up at the Encinal-Mulholland “Y”? Someone turning out of Calamigos, or Rocky Oaks Park? Or maybe someone who had a little too much at Malibu Wines?
Last on my list was the possibility of getting hit from behind going eastbound on Mulholland just before Kanan Road. Another crash that just doesn’t make any sense … and another one that could just have well been me.
Another loss in the cycling family. My condolances to her friends and loved ones.
Was the perp caught?
I’m assuming the driver stopped at the scene, since no one has said otherwise. However, I don’t have any information on whether the driver was ticketed or arrested; my guess is the investigation is ongoing.
We rode by around noon and the police were still on scene the vehicle was a van pulling an attached trailer not sure what it was, since the vehicle was still there I am assuming the driver was detained.
At the time we did nto realize the seriousness of the incident, now thinking back, there was a lot going on near malibu wines, the van may have been dropping off something, and it loked like it was going to possibly turn right onto Kanan
Im very sorry for this senceless loss.
I would be happy to speak to whom ever about what I saw.
Heartbreaking. Especially if she wrote that now poignant story for the Messenger. She deserved to ride forever…
My thoughts and prayers are with her framily. We need to punish those people whom leave the scene after the accident.
My husband and I rode up on the scene about 10 minutes after it happened. Carol was hit by a van pulling a trailer; the driver stopped. From what we heard, the driver said the car in front of him hit the brakes suddenly, then he hit his brakes, jack-knifed, and lost control. It’s hard to figure out, though, because it happened maybe 50 yards from the Mulholland/Kanan intersection (between the Calamigos Ranch driveway and Kanan)….the cars should have already been braking and not carrying much speed. Very tragic and just horribly sad. Judy, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Carol’s family, and all those dear to her.
Oh, and by the way, the EMTs identified her by her Road ID.
Thank you, Heidi — I really appreciate the additional information, and will move your comment up to the main story so everyone can see it.
And your comment points out the importance of having some form of ID on you at all times when you ride, whether it’s a Road ID, driver’s license, or some other form — even a handwritten note with your ID and emergency contact info could make all the difference.
Tailgating.
So sad to hear. Why do we let this keep happening?
so sorry to hear this…such a brutal way to go..:( thoughts and prayers to the family….
That’s so terrible. My heart goes out to her friends and family.
This is a tragic incident that may or may not have had the chance to be prevented! No use in speculating or adding ones two cents to what might have occurred!
I’d have to argue with you on that one. Virtually every traffic collision can be prevented. In order to have a wreck, one or more parties has to operate their vehicles in an unsafe, distracted or illegal manner. In this case, we know the victim was merely riding along to the right of the fog line, which means the focus has to be on the driver who crossed onto the shoulder to hit her, or the driver who may have caused him or her to do so.
Rule number one when it comes to traffic collisions is that they are seldom, it ever, accidents.
Unfortunately we all know that some of us especially those of us in a group feel too safe at times and forget to ride defensively. We are no match for an oncoming or passing vehicle. So strap on your Road ID ( NSE RDI ) and stay clear of tri geekers they ride like shit!
The only progress we’ll every make in reducing the numerous fatalities and injuries from traffic collisions is to study each and every incident, find the root cause and then make changes in law, behavior and equipment as required. When someone dies in a collision, the one contribution they can make is helping us reduce or hopefully prevent further tragic and unnecessary losses from the same cause. It’s a long process granted, but vital while fully honoring the person lost.
I’m so sorry for Carol, and I offer my sincere sympathy to her family and friends. God rest her soul.
Why is this not being covered in the media? I have scoured the internet. Nothing in the Times, Acorn or the VC Star. It’s important to get the word out to the community. I would think that by now there would be a clear picture of what actually happened. I swim with Heidi Christiansen and it makes me sick to my stomach to think that if she had left on her ride a few minutes earlier, she could have been the victim. My heartfelt thoughts go out to Carol’s family. I just began cycling in July and this type of story is always on my mind when I ride Mulholland.
I just sent e-mails to the Acorn and Star asking them to cover the story. Great suggestion.
My understanding is that the family is preparing materials to release to the press today. But I agree, I don’t understand why no one has picked up the story yet.
[…] Cyclist Killed Over the Weekend on Mulholland Highway (Biking In L.A.) […]
Just spoke with a reporter from The Acorn. She is preparing a story.
I arrived on scene at about 10 am. Saturday was a VERY windy day.
By then the police were there, the victim had been transported away, and the police had marked the scene. The position of the truck and bike seemed odd, but that’s probably always true when this kind of thing happens. The truck was an old van, and it was head-into the right shoulder. The trailer seemed to be carrying gardening tools and was jacknifed into the traffic lane. This was between Calamigos and Kanan, The victim’s bike was a red Canondale with yellow lettering. The rear end of the bike was crushed under the left front tire. The front end of the bike looked OK.
The wind might have been a contributing factor. Both a van and a bike could be tossed around in a cross wind as we experienced in other parts of our ride that morning. We also saw a moto accident on lower Latigo caused by a wind-blown limb falling in front of the moto.
I’m sorry… both “van AND a bike could be tossed”. LAME. A VAN, which is 3,000 pounds hurtling through space WITH A TRAILER SWINGING BEGIND IT should be in control whether there’s wind or not. A bike is but a FEATHER compared to a fricking truck and attached trailer. The driver should go to jail, but in this case, that guy will not even get any ticket whatsoever. Nada. Nothing. Zip. Off scott free. And he KILLED a woman from behind.
I arrived on the scene before the police. Two other riders were already holding her. The van had passed us going up Mulholland from the rock store just a few minutes earlier and was driving way too fast and reckless. This is a horrible example of an idiot driver. I wanted to throw something at him when he almost hit me.
I can only hope he is taken off the road forever and it might help to make a very public example out of his court case.
This was truly senseless and I feel so sorry for her family.
Matthew, please contact the CHP West Valley Station at 818-888-0980 and let them know what you saw. I’m told they have already decided to let the driver walk with no charges or ticket, and what you saw could have a real impact on reversing that decision.
I called the CHP and let them know what I saw and there were a group of CVC guys not far behind me that may have had close calls with the van. Granted I did not see the accident, just the behavior before it happened.
Matthew, just so I’m clear, did the van pass you going up the Rock Store climb (going west on Mulholland)? That was the direction my husband and i came from and I’m trying to remember if it might have passed us as well. It seems we were maybe 15 minutes behind you.
I just can’t imagine how anyone, especially the CHP, can look at those skid marks and the short distance from the collision to the Kanan intersection and not conclude that the van was, at the very least, approaching a dangerous intersection with way too much speed.
Yes. The van was going up from rock store. So it had to have turned around to come back on the other side of Kanan. The guy in the black Porsche was not far behind the van and was pulled over at the scene.
I remember the Porsche but don’t remember the van, unfortunately. The van must have been far enough ahead of us that we didn’t have to deal with it. I wish we could add another account of reckless driving, but we must have been a few minutes too late.
I’ll have my husband post on the CVC Facebook page, asking anyone else who might have witnessed reckless driving to call CHP.
I’m very thankful you were all there to help her! My hearts go out to all of you for sharing.
There are lots of people (riders) who past by the accident and saw events leading up to the collision. It is extremely important that you identify yourselves to the Sheriffs (most likely Agura Station) just call them make sure they get your name attached to the police report. Your observation will be extremely important to a factual determination of what happened. This will be important to the family and to prosecutors. The sooner the better as memories can fade.
You’re absolutely right, Derryl. Just one correction — fatal collisions are investigated by the CHP, so contact the CHP West Valley Station 5825 De Soto Ave, Woodland Hills 91367-5297; 818-888-0980. And don’t wait — I’ve already received word that the driver won’t face charges or even a ticket in this case.
[…] is just an accident This morning I received the following email from Chris Willig regarding thetragic death of Hollywood writer/producer Carol Schreder while riding on Mulholland Hwy last Saturday. A public spokesperson for the CHP West Valley […]
Does anyone know how to arrange to have a ghost bike placed at the site where Carol was killed?
I just emailed Aktive, one of the leaders in the L.A. cycling community and the ghost bike movement. You can contact him directly at aktive420 at gmail dot com.
Also, you can keep up with local ghost bikes at http://www.facebook.com/GhostBikesLosAngeles
This is horrible to hear about. I see so many cyclists out on the weekends and it honestly terrifies me when I see them riding on the roads where cars and motorcycles are all vying for road and often speeding and passing illegally. Hopefully, as horrible as it is, everyone can learn something from it. I would love to see better driving from cars in regards to passing and speeding, and I would love to STOP seeing bicyclists riding 2 or 3 deep on the canyon roads. In no way is this the time for any soap-boxing but I think that has bothered me more than the cars or motorcycles. Riding 3 deep when cars are speeding around blind corners is a sure death sentence. And aren’t we often trying to promote sharing the road?
In any case, this is a horrible tragedy, and having lost family and friends to accidents like this, I can imagine the pain her family must be going through. I am truly sympathetic to her family and wish everyone all the love and support to cope with this senselessness.
Riding 2 -3 deep never killed a motorist. But speeding not paying attention not giving room on the part of passing motorist does kill.
The focus must be on the motorist they need to be aware slow down be patient
Derryl, You can be right, but you will be dead. Bikers MUST ride single file. Not only is it less likely that you’ll be in the way as a speeding car swerves around a curve, but, riding paired or 3 deep pisses off drivers that are forced to slow to 20-30 miles an hour, which only escalates the tension. Bikers, stay over on the shoulder, share the road, and stay alive.
Sorry John, I’d rather have a pissed-off driver that sees me because we’re riding two or more abreast, than one that drives right through me because he didn’t see me, or tries to pass when it’s not safe because I failed to take the lane/
Sharing the road does not mean getting the hell out of the way of cars; it means both cyclists and bikes have a legal right to the lane, and drivers are required to pass bikes safely, just as they would any other slower moving vehicle.
Safe drivers don’t get mad when they have to slow down for bikes; dangerous drivers do. Saying cyclists shouldn’t make drivers mad is like telling battered housewife not to make her husband mad so he won’t beat her anymore.
If your interpretation was correct, Carol would be alive today, because she did exactly what you suggest and got killed anyway.
you missed the point… we’re not talking about safe and patient drivers! Pissed drivers don’t slow down when you’re two or four abreast- they race around you endangering everyone…
John, you are wrong. When the road is not wide enough for a car to safely pass a cyclist, a motorist trying to pass is more dangerous than a motorist stuck behind side-by-side riders. Look, the motorist that runs into the back of side-by-side riders was going to sideswipe single-file riders anyway. Stop looking at it from a perspective of “escalating tensions” and look at it from the fact that it is unsafe to pass single-file cyclists on narrow roads. That is the end of the analysis.
Derryl is right, Kate. While many people think riding two or more abreast is illegal, it is actually not addressed in the California vehicle code in any way. And in fact, it is often safer because it makes the riders more visible and forces drivers to go around them to pass, just like they would any other slower vehicle, rather than try to squeeze by with insufficient space.
The key is for drivers and motorcyclists to slow down and observe the speed limit, as well as the yellow recommended speed signs on curves. The danger doesn’t come from cyclists, but the drivers who flout the law with seeming impunity, putting everyone else on the road at risk.
And yes, there are cyclists who ride dangerously and break the law, the difference is that they are primarily a danger to themselves, rather than others.
Let’s not forget that the victim in this case was riding safely and legally on the shoulder of the roadway, and did nothing whatsoever to cause her own death.
Kate, I don’t mean to pile on – because I know your heart is in the right place – but it is very, very important to understand that the cyclists riding 2-3 deep are not the issue. The issue is the motorist behind who has an unreasonable expectation of traveling rapidly in his car, who does not anticipate slower traffic ahead and who tries to pass cyclists in a substandard width lane. The latter issue is a crime, under California law.
I really find it offensive that, when a cyclist is seriously injured riding responsibly, someone has to start posting about how “we should be doing it safer and cyclists have to be responsible too”. These may be important thoughts and should be expressed but a sad occurrence like this just isn’t the forum to do it. Have some sensibility please. There is no “other side” here!
I agree. It’s a horrible tragedy that Carol lost her life because of the reckless behavior of a motorist. When it comes to motorists vs cyclists though, there unfortunately exists no “right” or “safe”. We are not cradled in a ton of steel like the motorists are. We can only get on our bikes and enjoy it, just like Carol did.
Well said. Thank you for making that point.
I don’t know who keeps statistics on these kinds of things, but since June, I keep hearing about devastating cycling accidents and I wonder if the numbers are “up” or if it’s just a coincidence.
My friend, Chris Hatounian posted on his Facebook Wall a photo he took of the accident scene with the vehicle literally perpendicular to the shoulder, it’s wheels still on the rear bicycle wheel. My heart goes out to her family and all her friends.
Mullholland rides offer everyone a chance to escape the city and enjoy the scenery the Santa Monicas have to offer us, as well as a good workout. But with the way people drive and the lack of respect shown to cyclists, I’m rethinking my love of that route and might just get back on my mountain bike permanently to get away from drivers.
My wife and I have known Carol for years. We almost couldn’t believe it when we received a call from a mutual friend on Sunday about the tragedy. Carol was also an avid swimmer, and had a close knit group of friends in the Masters Swim program at UCLA. My wife would swim with her early mornings some days. The group participated in a number of great swim events throughout the year, including the One Hour Swim competition, and several Open Water Swim events. It was also a diverse group, and included a cardiac surgeon, attorneys, actors, writers, students, and professional fitness specialists. But on those early mornings they were all just swimmers. They loved the water. They loved the friendship.
Carol was a prolific writer and I always enjoyed conversations with her. Since the birth of our son, Sarah has been out of touch with this old gang, and we hadn’t seen her for a couple of years. It is a great loss.
Martin
I knew carol. I work at tge place where she boarded her beautiful dog. She was so kind and full of life. Im so devistated by this tragedy i cant stop thinking about how i saw her as early as last week. She was so fit and healthy. I heard about it shortly after the accident. I was at work. I went to the bathroom crying and praying for her to live. This is so tragic. Everybody and myself at my work have been completley shooken by this tragedy. My prayers go out to ger familu and friends. YOU WILL BE MISSED CAROL.
I’m Carol’s brother and I want to thank and embrace all you guys for your love, concern, anger, frustration, and care for Carol.
You overwhelm me and my family with your kindness. We were planning to all go to Carol’s for Christmas and she was excited and making plans and more plans. She left me a message on my cellphone the Friday before that she planned on making a fruitcake, I’m one of the few and the proud to love fruitcake, and she wanted to know what she should add, bourbon or rum, before she buried it in the backyard for seasoning before the feast.
We will be in LA next week would love to share.
Michael
Michael, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I never met Carol, but like many others, have been very moved by her death and all the good things people have had to say about her over the last week.
I think most of us want to avoid intruding on your grief, but if there’s a public service, please let us know.
Im sooooo terribly sorry Michael….I know how it feels to lose a loved one this way….Its difficult…I lost. my brother a year ago.He was bicycling and was hit by a drunk driver that left the scene….she is still yet to go to jail….She left you while she was doing something she loved…she will always be in your heart…..
I am a part of the group of swimmers that Martin referred to above. There were a few of us that always had a “girls” night out together. We were just planning one for the holidays, I still have the draft in my email. I couldn’t decide where to go, I had scoped out one place but it only had 2 desserts, and as you know that wouldn’t have gone over well with Carol, I would not have heard the end of how I took them to a place with only 2!!! measly desserts :-). I was on the hunt for more desserts.
We miss her so much, we were a hodge-podge group but she was the sane wise one. As someone said today, she was the model of the strong independent woman, the one who kept us all grounded.
Every week when she was riding I’d ask: “So Carol where are ‘we’ riding this week”, and she’d go over every minute detail of her ride. We had this thing where she was supposed to be riding for the both of us. “Oh”, she’d say I think I’ll take it easy this week and only do 60 miles. That was Carol.
Anyway I go on. All I wanted to say is when you are in town
please contact us. We are here to help you in any way we can.
This has been so hard to read as I am newbie rider and have had several close calls recently. It is so wrong that the CHP is not willing to see this accident as more it just doesnt make sense. I am sorry for the loss of Carol for her family and friends.
Safety is a two way street the car drivers have to care too.
BB
Hi BarBara. As a beginning rider, the best advice I can give you is to ride confidently. You belong on the street, and have as much right to the road as any driver. You can’t control what drivers do, but if you ride defensively and predictably by assuming your place in the lane, obeying basic traffic laws — especially red lights and right-of-ways — signaling and always riding with the flow of traffic, and you should minimize most of those close calls.
The problem with the CHP is largely a matter of training. It’s not that the officers don’t care, but rather, many still have that windshield bias that assumes roads were made for drivers and bikes don’t really belong there. That’s wrong, of course. Fortunately, my understanding is that new CHP patrol officers will start receiving training in bike laws and rights in the starting academy next year. But that still leaves a huge number of officers already on the streets who haven’t received any bike training at all.
And thanks for your work with returning vets and their families.
Can we start a petition to give to the CHP to rethink their conclusions in light of eye-witness testimony to the driver’s reckless course prior to the accident.
I think if we got together and got a huge list of signatures together, they would open their minds a little more.
And if that doesn’t, we should put together a write-in campaign to the local news outlets (all media) to publicize that the CHP has taken a blind-eye stance to the eyewitness testimony volunteered to them.
We put up a large marker for Carol today at the crash site… our kids wrote “In Memory For Carol Schreder” on it. Going to the site was more powerful than I expected as the violent swerves left on the blacktop are only a FEW car lengths from the four-way stop sign intersection! Clearly the driver was speeding before losing control of his van and trailer… poor Carol never saw him coming.
Others had left flowers and sign with her name, and even a bike water bottle at the accident site. Carol was loved by all, truly.
What made me happy through the tragedy was driving the length of road coming up to the site – it was a very long, wide and beautiful stretch of road – for that at least we can be happy that Carol was enjoying a peaceful ride.
We miss you, Carol. xoxo
Myself and a few other bicyclist were lucky enough to be able to talk to Judy as we took a few moments to honor Carol at the crash site. My husband placed a water bottle. Judy, we are so devastated for you, and Carol, her family and friends.
Lisa
A ghost bike will be placed for Carol on Sunday at Mulholland and Kanan, around 11:00 AM. http://www.facebook.com/GhostBikesLosAngeles
Thanks Heidi. I’ll let people know.
beautiful obit written and picture from her friend Judy:
http://www.topangamessenger.com/story_detail.php?ArticleID=4897
@Friends of AFI, I share your thoughts exactly. Matt and I were likely the 4th and 5th to arrive. When we got there, there were two people assisting Carol (I wrongly assumed they were all riding together) and the person in the black porsche was there as well. I started riding to the corner at Kanan so when police arrived I could direct them properly. A CHP motorcycle headed the wrong way and passed us at the top of the Rockstore climb asking if we saw a cyclist down.
I am still haunted by seeing Carol lying on the road motionless, and seeing her rear wheel under the front tire of the truck. Clearly the driver was speeding since they were so close to a 4 way stop intersection. No other explanation could make sense for me. There was another car in front of the truck and I am not sure if they were involved in the accident.
When the police/CHP arrived, I was disturbed at how casually they reacted. I assume that police aren’t trained in first aid, CPR, etc. Two officers got out of their cars, and stared at the scene, and did not approach Carol. They seemed more interested in putting together the crash scene and how they were going to fill out a report, than for Carol’s well-being. Thankfully a paramedic arrived a minute or two later.
[…] Christensen, wrote BikingInLA saying that she arrived the scene shortly after the […]
Carol’s ghost bike was stolen by an a**hole two days ago. Does anyone know who the “owner” of her ghost bike is? I’d like to contact the person who donated the bike. Thanks.
I will let her know to read this string so she can get a hold of you.
The bike was there for longer that I would have thought. If someone needed the bike that bad then God Bless them. I hope they had a good time riding just like Carol did.
Thank you for caring : )
wow…someone with no conscience what so ever….sad….hate to be in there shoes when karma hits them…..
The guy who stole it was a transient. The police arrested him for stealing the bike, but eventually had to release him on that offense because there was no “true owner” for the bike, and thus no crime. I think he is still in jail for other offenses though.