Sometimes, news seems to take a long time to file in from the Inland Empire.
I’m just now learning about the collision that took the life of a Riverside County bike rider on Friday. Although the liability lawyers seem to have found out about it long before I did.
And as usual for most collisions that occur east of the LA County line, the details are sparse, at best.
According to the Press-Enterprise, 57-year old Perris resident Pascual Vega Jr. was hit by a pickup on Menifee Road near Long Street at 8:30 pm, in the unincorporated Nuevo area east of Perris. He was pronounced dead at the scene 10 minutes later.
That’s it.
Not one word that isn’t contained in the equally sparse Coroner’s report, such as how the collision occurred.
Less, in fact, as the Riverside County Coroner places the collision about 500 feet north of Long Street, in an area that doesn’t appear to have cross streets or driveways, suggesting that it was most likely a hit-from-behind, or possibly head-on, collision.
And based on previous experience, I wouldn’t count on a follow-up report, either from the local press or the Coroner’s office.
This is the 61st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the seventh in Riverside County. That compares with 47 SoCal bike deaths this time last year, and nine in Riverside County.
My sympathy and prayers for Pascual Vega Jr and all his loved ones.
Update: Surprisingly, there’s has been a follow-up from the Press-Enterprise adding a little more information.
According to the paper, Vega was riding north on Menifee when he was hit from behind by a 2000 Nissan Frontier driven by 59-year old Carlos Hernandez Sr. of Nuevo. The truck was reportedly traveling at 40 mph when he hit Vega’s bike, which did not have lights or reflectors, even though it was roughly an hour after sunset at the time of the collision.
Tragically, a comment from Joyce reveals he was a cousin of Michael Vega, killed by a hit-and-run driver in Rancho Cucamonga last August.
………
The Daily News reports that a bike rider was injured in a Van Nuys hit-and-run Monday night.
According to the paper, the collision occurred on the 13000 block of Oxnard just before 8:30 pm. However, the report also places the location as near the intersection of Oxnard Street and Buffalo Ave, which is several blocks west of the 13000 block. The second location might make sense, since it’s a crossing point for the Orange Line bike path.
The victim was taken to a hospital with unknown injuries; no word yet on his or her condition or any identification. And no description on the suspect vehicle or how the wreck happened.
Let’s hope this one doesn’t turn out to be serious. And that the cowardly jerk behind the wheel is quickly brought to justice.
Our prayers go up for the family and friends of Mr. Vega.
Pascual Vega Jr.was also a Marine Corps veteran with a love of music. We all miss him. RIP Uncle Jr. I hope you’re with grandpa and Jason watching over everyone.
even sadder part of this story is the fact that this is a cousin of a VEGA who lost their own
son in Rancho Cucamonga 08/28/12. Which was a hit a run….Prayers to all the Vega’s.
That is tragic. I recognized the last name, but assumed there was no connection.
Tragically 2 Vega’s lost in the past year while cycling……
I go on from time to time to see what’s happening in So. Cal. I search my sons name sometimes also. I didn’t see this post regarding our cousin Jr. I was a very very rough year for the Vega family. We attend the funeral service for Jr. Vega who was killed 5 days before the 1 year mark of our son. In our sons case, Jason Wayne Cox (Caucasian 30 yrs old at time of hit and run) pled guilty to 2 felonies and ultimately was sentenced to 7 years on April 17 2015. We are about an hour from LA, and it is a bit hard to attend gatherings, court cases and Press Releases, especially with all the darn traffic getting to LA. We do our best to help this Horrific Epidemic. AB8 is Very Important as is AndysLaw.org.. We will continue to fight and advocate for what is the right thing to do in Memory Of Our Son Michael Ray Vega (25 yrs 8mos 8 days when he was killed) and for our Cousin Pascual Vega Jr and All CYCLISTS!!! Thank You For This Site and For Everyone Advocating Change and Safety in Sharing The Road!! Ride On MRV y Jr vɘөʌ y All Cyclists That Were Taken Too Early!! Thank You Everyone For Your Posts!!
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Dear Friend, I regret the loss of life in Riverside County, my condolences to the family as well. The key point as to cause is 830pm as in dark. Weather this night may also have been a factor. Can’t overstate the danger involved with night vision and loss of depth perception for rider and driver. I know the area–it is rural country.
Keep up the good work, Steve
Sent from my iPhone