Update — 20-year old cyclist killed in Buena Park; cyclist injured in Culver City

More bad news from Orange County.

According to the Orange County Register, a 20-year old man was hit by a vehicle while riding his bike at the intersection of Knott and La Palma Avenues in Buena Park around 6 pm Monday. The rider, who has not been publicly identified, was pronounced dead at UCI Medical Center in Orange.

The driver was taken to West Anaheim Medical Center with undisclosed minor injuries. He was not identified other than as a man in his 40s; no description was given of the vehicle involved, or how the collision occurred.

The Register reports that alcohol was not believed to have been a factor, and police are investigating who had the right-of-way.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Buena Park Police traffic bureau at 714/562-3940.

This is the 67th cycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 12th in Orange County, just one behind the total for all of last year. It’s also the second bicycling death in Buena Park this year.

My deepest condolences and prayers for the victim and his family.

Update: A post on SoCal Trail Riders identifies the victim as Jeremy Kidder, a former employee of Buena Park Bicycles, and a sometimes employee of Fullerton Bicycles.

Update 2: The Orange County Register confirms the victim was 20-year old Jeremy Kidder of Buena Park. The paper reports he was hit by a Chevy SUV while crossing near the crosswalk; no word on what direction he was going or how the collision occurred. Police say there are conflicting witness accounts. 

……..

Culver City Patch reports that a cyclist was hit by a car at the corner of Washington Place and Sawtelle Blvd in Culver City around 4:45 pm Monday.

According to police, witnesses said the cyclist, who was not publicly identified, ran the red light; he was taken to UCLA Medical Center.

No other information is available at this time.

4 comments

  1. Derryl Halpern says:

    I hope this finds the right ears.

    I am an attorney, a bike racer and a follower of your blog and email newsletter.

    Last month a vehicle recklessly attempted to pass a group of cyclist along Santa Ana Road in Ventura County. This is a road popular with cyclists up in Ventura.

    The driver screamed passed another car and tried to pass that car and a group of 30 -35 cyclists (riding 2 by 2). Along a downhill curve. The car lost control and took out three riders. One of whom suffered serious catastrophic injuries.

    I would have been on that ride, if it wasn’t for my kids soccer games that Saturday.

    I drafted a letter to be sent to the DA office and had all the local cyclists sign and send it in.

    Today I was happy (although I would be happier if these events did not happen) to report that the motorist Anthony Lee Noble will be prosecuted for Reckless Driving Causing Serious Injuries. While only a misdemeanor i=I think that just getting the DA to do anything where someone did not flee the scene or kill someone is difficult.

    His arraignment is on January 18, 2013 in Ventura Superior Court Dept 10 at 9:00 am., Case Number 2012038989.

    Below is a copy of the letter that was sent in by our community, It can be easily modified to cover other cycling related car collisions. And I would be happy to draft additional more specific letters if asked.

    I hope you find this information helpful

    Thanks

    Derryl Halpern

    Ventura Count District Attorneys Office Gregg D. Totten. Community Prosecutions Program General Felony & Misdemeanor Unit. 800 South Victoria Ave, Ventura California, 93009

    Email: da.criminal@ventura.org

    RE: Traffic Collision: Saturday September 29, 2012 Vehicle vs. Multiple Cyclists

    Dear District Attorney.

    This letter is being submitted by the undersigned on behalf of the three cyclists, struck and seriously injured on Saturday September 29 on Santa Ana Road. And on behalf of the thousands of lawful cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and their families who lawfully use the streets and highways within Ventura County.

    REQUESTED ACTION We are collectively asking that Anthony Bell Noble be investigated and prosecuted (where appropriate) for his violations of Vehicle Code 23103 (reckless driving) and Penal Code 245 (assault with dangerous weapon). And any other applicable laws, statutes or regulations.

    FACTUAL STATEMENT On Saturday September 29, 2012 a group of cyclists were riding south along Santa Ana Road, heading towards Ventura. The group was riding two by two. A vehicle pulled behind the group and was waiting for a safe location to pass. The cyclists began to organize into a single file line to allow for the vehicle to pass safely. As this was occurring a second vehicle, driven by Anthony Bell Noble aggressively drove up to the rear bumper of the first vehicle, and without waiting, sped into opposing lanes of traffic, in a reckless attempt to pass the vehicle and the group of cyclists. Santa Ana Road is a narrow and winding road, with only one lane in each direction and a soft dirt shoulder. The location where Mr. Noble attempted to pass was unsafe and the manner in which he attempted to pass was reckless. As Mr. Noble attempted to pass, he lost control of his vehicle and struck three cyclists causing them serious injuries.

    RECKLESS ACTION WAS IN CONSCIOUS DISREGARD OF THE SAFETY OF THE CYCLISTS. Mr. Noble acted reckless and in conscious disregard for the safety of others. This was no simple accident. Moments prior to the collision, a solo cyclists witnessed Mr. Noble driving erratic and aggressive as a he passed. He was seen aggressively speeding towards the vehicle directly behind the group and then accelerating in fast and dangerous manner in his attempt to pass the group. As he did, Mr. Noble never slowed and instead continued to try to speed past the group, losing control of his vehicle and colliding into the cyclists. Following the collision, Mr. Noble showed no remorse for his actions, and instead continued to “blame” the cyclists for being on the road, and that he was pissed off at having to always “slow down” for them. This was no mistake, accident or negligence. His actions that day were reckless and done so with conscious disregard for the safety of the public. His actions are tantamount to “Road Rage” and clearly in violation of laws designed to protect the public from reckless and dangerous drivers. This was not Mr. Noble’s first violations. A review of the Ventura County Superior Court web site reveals that Mr. Noble has been cited in the past for VC 22350 Speeding and for VC 21650 Driving on the wrong side of the road.

    CONCLUSION: PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH PROSECUTION We are simply asking that Mr. Noble be investigated for the crimes he committed that day. Hopefully with prosecution will come public awareness that motorists have to share the road with cyclists, and that patience on our roads (instead of rage) is needed to save the lives of our community. Without the prosecution of people such as Mr. Noble, all of us remain unsafe whether walking, cycling or driving.

    Thank you for you consideration.

    DATED:

    BY:

    _____

    • Opus the Poet says:

      In a sane world ever time a vulnerable user was hit by a person using a motor vehicle there would be an automatic investigation of assault with a deadly weapon. But then this isn’t a sane world.

    • bikinginla says:

      Thanks, Derryl. I’ll lead off with this in my next post tonight.

      And this is a perfect example of why the L.A. bicyclist anti-harassment ordinance needs to be passed on a state-wide basis; it’s already been picked up by a couple of Bay Area cities.

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