The Mormon Church has confirmed that a missionary assigned to the Arcadia area has died as a result of a bicycling collision.
According to the Salt Lake City Tribune, 18-year old Andrew Edward Page of Charlotte, NC died of injuries suffered when he was hit by a car in or near Arcadia; no date or other details are available at this time.
There is no mention of Page’s death or the collision that caused it in the LA-area press yet.
This is the 69th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 29th in Los Angeles County, compared to 22 in the county for all of last year.
My deepest prayers and sympathy for Andrew Page and all his family and loved ones.
Update: In the comments below, Calwatch, along with a handful of other sources, pointed to this story in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, which reports that an 18-year old bike rider from out of state was critically injured when he was hit by a car in Azusa Thursday afternoon.
That collision occurred around 4 pm at the intersection of Newburgh Street and Cerritos Avenue in Azusa. There’s no word on how the wreck may have happened, however, the paper reports the victim suffered major head trauma.
While the details match up, there’s no guarantee this is the same collision. I’ve reached out to the author of the story for confirmation.
Update 2: As Calwatch indicates in another comment below, the Deseret News has updated their story, confirming that Page was the victim in the Azusa collision reported by the Tribune.
According to the story in the Deseret News, he was riding with a companion when they missed their turn, and were turning around when Page was hit from behind.
“For some reason Andrew stopped for a minute and adjusted his pants leg and then he just kind of whipped around his bike and didn’t look and a car was coming,” he said.
The paper reports he was taken to a nearby trauma center with major injuries, including head trauma, despite wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at 10 pm Thursday night.
An officer at the scene reportedly said there was no fault on anyone’s part, and it was due to just a moment of inattention.
Which is exactly the problem.
As this case sadly illustrates, it only takes a moment of carelessness to result in tragedy.
Oh how awful, 18 years old. It’s a tragedy at any age, but young people dying like that seems unthinkable. Deepest condolences to his family.
Sorry to hear, the missionaries don’t seem like wreckless riders. Wonder what happened?
Nothing in the Arcadia- area press?
It may not have occurred in Arcadia – he was dispatched from the Arcadia Mission. (Each geographic area in the LDS has a”mission” which proselytizes for its region.)
It looks like the collision occurred Thursday. Here’s more information from the Deseret News (LDS-owned newspaper): http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865588198/Mormon-missionary-dies-after-being-hit-by-vehicle-in-California.html
It’s possible that it could have been this individual who died in the collision: http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20131011/bicyclist-hit-by-car-in-azusa-in-critical-condition
“An out-of-state bicyclist was in critical condition Friday after he was hit by a car in Azusa, Azusa police officials said.
The 18-year-old bicyclist was traveling on Newburgh Street and Cerritos Avenue around 4 p.m. Thursday when he was hit by the car, Cpl. Jason Kimes said.”
Here’s some more information: https://www.facebook.com/AzusaPOA/posts/527550543993346
“On Thursday, October 10, at about 4:04 pm, Azusa Police Officers responded to Cerritos Avenue and Newburgh Street regarding a traffic collision. Officers arrived and saw that the traffic collision involved a motor vehicle and a bicyclist. The bicyclist had sustained major injuries, including head trauma. The male bicyclist was transported via helicopter to a local trauma center for advanced care. His current condition is critical.
The collision is being investigated by the Azusa Police Department Traffic Division. Any witnesses to the traffic collision are encouraged to contact the Azusa Police Department Traffic Bureau at (626)812-3200.”
[…] first is somewhat breaking news about a Mormon missionary getting smacked by a car. Breaking news: Mormon missionary killed in Arcadia bike collision and Mormon missionary dies after being hit by vehicle in California Nothing so far on the mode or […]
The Deseret News article was updated with some comments from church leaders. It is the Azusa collision. Apparently he was proselytizing to the Latino community as he was just on assignment after training in Mexico City. Doubly tragic to the family since his father died a few years ago.
Thanks for your help in staying on top of this developing story. The assistance is much appreciated.
Jane Holtz Kay, writing in Asphalt Nation, was the first to bring to my attention just how unforgiving of human error our transportation system is. My condolences to Andrew Page’s family and friends.
[…] Mormon Missionary Killed in Bike Crash in Arcadia, 29th Cycling Death in LA County This Year (Biking in LA) […]
[…] center with major injuries, including head trauma, after which he passed away at 10 P.M. The Biking In LA blog notes that Elder Page’s fatality is the 69th bicycling fatality in Southern California this […]
We offer our sincerest, heartfelt prayers for the family and friends of young Mr. Page.
I just read a article that the famaly was asking for money for the funeral expenses. That is some B.S. THE CHURCH DOESN’T need the money. Elder Andrew Page was on his Mission for the church. They are responsible for his funeral expenses. I’m so fckn pissed off that they are asking for money. I hope nobody sends them money. There is a ghost bike that was put up in his ohnor. May he R.I.P Andrew Page.
Don’t jump to conclusions or believe what you have read. Of course the church is paying for the funeral. Not sure where you read the article, but it was not accurate.