According to several sources, a bicyclist was killed in a collision with a cement mixer in San Marcos in North San Diego County this morning.
The wreck occurred at the intersection of South Las Posas Road and Grand Avenue around 9:35 this morning.
Unfortunately, very little information is available at this time, including the identify — or even the sex — of the victim, or any word on how the collision occurred. A report from the San Diego Union-Tribune could not even confirm whether the victim was a pedestrian or on a bike.
A video report from San Diego’s 10 News shows a mangled bike trapped beneath the massive truck, as well as a shrouded canopy in the crosswalk, suggesting that was where the victim’s body was found. However, it’s impossible to tell from the video where the truck was stopped in relation to the crosswalk.
Cement mixers are among the most terrifying vehicles on the road, as their lumbering size limits maneuverability and ability to stop, while giving operators only a limited view of the roadway. Even a close call can be deadly if a startled rider swerves the wrong way or tumbles beneath the wheels.
As a result, it’s long been my practice to get off the road when one approaches, rather than risk yet another too close pass or apparent failure to even see me on my bike.
Whether the driver saw this victim, or he or she even could have gotten out of the way of the truck is yet to be determined.
This is the 30th cycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the second in San Diego County. That’s nearly twice as many as the 16 SoCal deaths recorded this time last year.
Update: According to CBS-8, the victim was a 22-year old exchange student at nearby Palomar college.
The cement truck reportedly stopped at the red light on Las Posas before making a right on the red onto Grand Ave. Witnesses say the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk on Las Posas, then rode out into the intersection as the truck was turning; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
My deepest prayers and sympathy for the victim and his or her loved ones.
Sad to hear. RIP
It is a concrete mixer. Cement is to concrete like flour is to a cake.
I share your fear of cement mixers. Here is dash cam video of an out of control cement mixer that ran a red light:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/EXCLUSIVE-Man-Gets-Video-of-College-Station-Crash-254474071.html
My condolences to the family & friends of the cyclist.
I do have see glaring piece of omission what was not reported in the news. Was the driver using a wireless device? As a result of the fatality investigators should check the wireless devices in the cab. Consequently, all commercial vehicles should have black data boxes in order to operate, in effect recording any wireless data being used from the cab.
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Good post.