I’ve just received word that David Alexander Granados, the 18-year old bike rider critically injured by a hit-and-run driver last Sunday, has died as a result of his injuries.
Both the Reddit site, as well as a commenter on this site, report that he passed away last night, surrounded by family and friends. Both sources have proven to be reliable throughout this breaking story.
You can read the full story here, if you haven’t already.
This is the 13th cycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the second to die as the result of a hit-and-run. Alarmingly, eight of those deaths have occurred in Los Angeles County, compared to just one this time last year.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for David Granados and all his family and loved ones.
Update: The media discovered this story today, with new stories by North Hollywood Patch and Rudabeh Shahbazi for KABC-7, including a brief interview with yours truly.
A couple brief corrections — the victim’s full name is David Alexander Granados, not David Alexander as I had previously reported, and he died around 5:30 pm Tuesday when he was taken off life support, rather than Thursday night, as I had been told.
Patch reports that the driver was traveling at 50 to 60 mph when he ran the red light and hit Granados, throwing his body as far as 200 feet by some estimates. A friend who witnessed the collision says Granados had the right of way, and looked both ways before crossing the street.
In other words, he did everything right. And died anyway.
To say I’m heartbroken over someone I never knew, and now never will, is putting it mildly.
A memorial fund has been established in his name. And anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8063.
How awful, so young. My deepest condolences to his family.
When are law enforcement officials going to start taking these hit & run situations seriously? As usual, one of their own policing on a bike will have to get smashed by a hit & run driver before they actually start getting serious about going after these POS.
I hope the families of all these horrific crimes find peace & closure in their lives.
RIP David Alexander
From: The Anthony Martinez JR.(RIP 11.24.2011) Ride of Silence familia.
Dammit….
Deepest sympathies
to family and friends,
and strength to all other cyclists out there
from a Kiwi in South Korea
OK name change needed. It’s no longer hit-and-run, it’s drive-through murder or attempted driver-through murder if the victim survives… Feel free to suggest your own change.
Our heartfelt prayers go up for the family and friends of the victim.
R.I.P. David. My family is really heart broken to know that you are gone. I remember when your sister use to baby sit us, and we went to the same elementary and when I was in high school I remember I always wanted to say hi because I hadn’t talk to you in a while and now you’re gone and I wish I could’ve said hi when I had the chance.
I remember seeing 5 year old David and my son Jonathan in the playhouse/tree-house. They used to throw oranges over the “mean” neighbors house and hide. I remember dropping my son off David house and returning later that day only to have my son sleep over. I remember seeing David all dressed up and handsome for Prom. Smiling with such joy in his heart. Excited about his future. My son had plans to live with David and be “bachelor” roomies. David just celebrated his 18th birthday about a week prior. When I saw his casket slowly being buried and his mom anguish and tears running down her face screaming, ” please don’t leave me David” or ” I love you.” I realize how fu*cked up humane kind is. Life will never be the same for all us family and friends. My son is scarred for life. I hope they get this as*hole and put him in general population in prison!!!