I’ve just received a first-hand report about a Long Beach attempted hit-and-run that left two riders injured — possibly seriously — on Saturday.
The writer, who prefers to remain anonymous, reports that he was riding on PCH, waiting at a red light between Sunset Beach and Seal Beach, when passing motorists called out to him to stop an elderly driver who had just hit two cyclists riding 100 feet apart.
He says the driver waived his handicapped parking placard at him as if to say he had a free pass, and claimed he didn’t know he’d hit anyone. Even though he reportedly later told police investigators that both riders were out in the middle of the road and he couldn’t avoid them — despite what the writer describes as a 10-foot wide bike lane in that area.
According to my source, the police seemed to be buying that explanation — which he described as total BS, and which was contradicted by his earlier statement that he didn’t know he hit anyone. However, it’s always possible the officer was playing along to get more information from the driver.
He indicates that one of the victims was in bad shape with what he described as a nasty head injury, and that the other, who appeared to be a member of local riding club Velo Allegro, had suffered a hip injury.
If you have any more information on the collision or the condition of the riders, let me know.
Update: I’ve just been forwarded word from Velo Allegro that their rider suffered road rash, while the injuries to the other rider are not life threatening. According to them, the 85-year old driver was arrested by Seal Beach police, apparently on site.
Update 2: Carey left the following comment to this post, including contact information for the Seal Beach police.
A good friend of mine was one of the cyclists injured in the crash. I have since spoken with the officer investigating the case and he would like to hear from anyone who saw anything, including what happened after the driver fled the scene. Please contact the Seal Beach Police Department at (562) 799-4100 and any officer would be able to help you. Let’s try and help make the road safe for all cyclists.
If you have any information, please call them right away so we can get this driver off the road.
Permanently.
The driver should have his license permanently revoked. Anyone who thinks they own the road doesn’t deserve the privilege of using it.
Get this guy off the road. Public transit for you buddy, will keep us safe.
I believe that this person will lose their license…there were a lot of witnesses there, as I was riding by after the incident. Glad nobody was killed, it looked like a possibility witht he crowd there.
A good friend of mine was one of the cyclists injured in the crash. I have since spoken with the officer investigating the case and he would like to hear from anyone who saw anything, including what happened after the driver fled the scene. Please contact the Seal Beach Police Department at (562) 799-4100 and any officer would be able to help you. Let’s try and help make the road safe for all cyclists.
Thanks Carey. I was hoping someone would provide contact information for the police. I’m going to move this up to the main post where everyone will see it.
PCH, the most dangerous highway around. Needs upgrades to make it safer!
I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the driver’s handicapped placard was hanging from his rear view mirror at the time of the collision. It’s certainly possible he didn’t see the cyclists while he was hitting them.
I really hope the police got a full tox for the types of perfectly legal prescription (and/or “recommended”) medications that impair driving and also require the driver to undergo current vision & psychomotor tests as part of the investigation.
My in-laws lived in Leisure World. They drove to the DMV’s San Juan Capistrano office to renew their drivers licenses because they had heard it was easier for senior citizens to pass the tests there. Needless to say, I was appalled.
Now that is scary.
Well, this “easy pass” may be just a senior citizen urban myth. Let’s not consider gossip as facts. But, once over 80, there must be extra testing involved, including medical.
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