BikinginLA

There’s a special place in hell for someone who’d steal a bike from a dying woman.

That’s apparently what happened after a woman was fatally struck by an empty tour bus in South LA this morning.

In what turned out to be a very confusing story, KABC-7 initially reported that a 56-year old woman on her way to a local clinic was hit by a private tour bus at 8:30 am Saturday as she was crossing Slauson on northbound Figueroa. The station reported she was in the crosswalk when she was hit by the bus, which was turning left onto Slauson from southbound Figueroa.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the report, investigators say the driver did not see the woman in the crosswalk, while witnesses reported he appeared to be in a hurry to make the light.

“She had the right of way and the bus came and just took her out, ran her over,” said Johnathon Pineda.

And yet, police appear to be excusing the driver’s actions, saying it appears to be “nothing more than a tragic accident” despite the ongoing investigation.

And that’s where things really get confusing.

KTLA-5 says the bus had a green light, and the woman, who they say was 54, was walking outside the crosswalk when she was hit.

Meanwhile, according to KCBS-2, the victim was either carrying or riding a bicycle, which they say was taken from her before police arrived; they also give the victim’s age as 54.

Finally, KNBC-4 says the victim, who they identify as a 50-year old resident of the area, was riding her bike when she was hit, and that her bike was stolen after the crash.

The bus driver remained at the scene and was cooperating with the police.

And as if to complicate the matter further, two paramedics were injured — fortunately not seriously — when their ambulance overturned following a three-car collision as they rushed to the scene.

This is the fourth bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the second in Los Angeles County. It’s also the first in the City of Los Angeles, which suffered at least 18 bicycling fatalities last year.

Update: The victim has been identified as Ena Villalobos.

 My deepest sympathy and prayers for Ena Villalobos and her loved ones.