A woman has died after a collision in Santee in San Diego County.
According to the Union-Tribune, the victim, who has not been identified, was riding along the northbound curb on Cuyamaca Street near River Park Drive when she allegedly veered across two lanes of traffic. She was hit by a car, whose driver unsuccessfully swerved to avoid her.
The woman was conscious following the collision, but died after being taken to Sharps Memorial Hospital.
The time of the collision is in doubt, however; the U-T says it was just before noon, while San Diego’s KNSD-7 places it at 4:30 pm.
Police say the driver does not appear to be at fault.
This is the 23rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth in San Diego County.
Update: The victim has been identified as 67-year old Margo Symmonds-Lavanway, who appears to have been homeless.
Update 2: The generous and well-loved woman was reportedly riding her bike to collect recyclables to raise money for people in need.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Margo Symmonds-Lavanway and her loved ones.
I bike that area on the way to work. The bridge crossing the San Diego River narrows the road making it very difficult for bikes to ride. I ride on the sidewalk going on the northbound side due to it being paved.I have taken the lane but it’s not worth the harrassment I get from the cagers. Santee has been making decent strides at making the city bike friendly but this is one place that needs improvement. The speed limit is here is 35 MPH and the cagers do at least 45 MPH. She was must have been trying to make a left on River Park to avoid the hill on Cuyamaca when she was hit. So I do not blame her, I blame it on the City of Santee for the piss poor infrastructure.
We lift up our prayers for the family and friends of the victim.
Maybe the news report would be more accurate if it said she was trying to change lanes, instead of saying she veered across them. Either way, what happened is very sad, and my wishes are with her loved ones.
I was actually driving right behind the motorist who hit the lady and saw the whole thing…. Total tradegy but the bicyclist left the dirt trail and jumped in the middle of the road without even looking for cars… Very traumatizing experience and my heart goes out to her family and friends….
I think what has to happen, not so much for this collision, is that we need to report all dangerous conditions on every road we ride on. To include lake of facilities making the road unsafe for use. Not just the pot holes and cracks.