Just a quick note to take the shine off this beautiful Sunday.
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A bike rider was shot and killed in Pomona last night.
According to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 45-year old Pomona resident Jose Cerda was riding on Lexington Avenue just west of Garey Ave around 9:30 pm when a vehicle pulled up next to him and one of the occupants opened fire, shooting him several times.
Cerda was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was just the first of three people killed by gunfire in the city overnight, in what would appear to by a series of drive-by shootings.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pomona Police Department Detective Bureau at 909-620-2085.
Update: According to the LA Times, no one has been arrested yet in any of the shootings; no word on whether police have any suspects or if the shootings are related.
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I’ve also gotten word of a serious collision involving a bike rider in Tarzana last night.
An email from reliable source says he was driving with his family along Reseda Blvd near the 101 Freeway overpass around 5:50 last night when he came upon the immediate aftermath of collision involving a bike and a car.
He arrived before the paramedics, and said the victim, who was not wearing a helmet, appeared to have been gravely wounded with a serious head injury.
Thankfully, the driver had remained at the scene; the window on the small car was completely smashed. Judging from the damage and position of the car, he said it did not appear to be a hit-from-behind collision, but couldn’t tell from what he saw how it might have happened.
As a frequent rider in the area, he reports the area is very congested with heavy vehicle traffic due to the freeway offramp, and that riding there can be challenging. despite the presence of a bike lane.
I haven’t been able to find any confirmation of the collision yet; however, knowing the source, I have no reason to question what he saw. Not surprisingly, he says he and his entire family were traumatized by what they witnessed.
Once again, it sounds like prayers or best wishes are in order, whatever you’re most comfortable with.
Thanks to Bro Dave for the heads-up.
Update: Sgt. Stephen Egan, the bike liaison for the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division, reports that the collision occurred at 5:50 pm Saturday at the intersection Reseda and Collins. The driver was making a turn when he hit the rider; which way he was turning or what street he was turning onto is not clear at this time.
The victim was transported to a local hospital with severe head trauma.
MB reports in the comments that the victim was wearing a helmet, but it was evidently knocked off by the force of the impact.
Update 2: Bad news. I’ve just gotten word that the victim died of his injuries last week. I’m trying to get more information.
Guns make us so much safer. I’m sure the shooters have overthrown numerous tyrants thanks to the vigorous exercise of their 2nd Amendment “rights.” What a tragedy and a travesty.
Sad news. Best thoughts for a speedy recovery. I also live and ride in the San Fernando Valley, mostly in the northwest region, but I do get around the entire valley depending on how I feel or what type of shopping I need to do. I personally stay clear of Reseda Blvd and others like it that have freeway on/off ramps. Way too dangerous for me even though there are bike lanes. Generally speaking, most drivers are more focused on lane position to get onto or off of the freeway. I prefer to find routes that go under or cross over both the Ventura and Simi Valley freeways that don’t have entrance or exit ramps. Just my $0.02. Thom J.
I heard from someone on the scene right after it happened and the man was indeed wearing a helmet, it was found behind the car, either on the truck or on the ground right behind the car. They were so traumatized, they couldn’t remember the exact location, but did in fact see the helmet. Prayers to his family, as this witness I spoke with felt the man had died on the scene.
I’m a neighbor who witnessed the accident on Reseda and have been desperately looking for any information on the accident. We thought it may have been fatal, as the street was blocked for more than 4 hours…
We offer up our prayers for the family and friends of the victim.