Once again, a bike rider has been killed on a Southern California Freeway.
According to the Orange County Register, 32-year old Lakewood resident Gilbert Gutierrez III was struck by a car while riding on the transition road between the southbound 55 Freeway and the southbound 405 Freeway Friday night. My News LA places the time at 10:51 pm.
He reportedly crossed over both lanes on the transition road and was struck by a car traveling at an estimated 70 mph. He was declared dead at the scene.
The driver, a 24-year old woman from Yorba Linda, remained at the scene. She was not cited or arrested.
No explanation was given for why Gutierrez was on the freeway; bicycles are banned from most urban freeways in the state.
This is the 66th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 11th in Orange County. He is also the third person to be killed while riding a bicycling on a SoCal freeway in the last two and a half years.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Gilbert Gutierrez III and all his loved ones.
Our prayers go up for the family and friends of Mr. Gutierrez.
It may not be the case that the victim was bicycling on the freeway. The road in question, Newport Blvd, is designated as a Class 2 bike facility and is not the 55 freeway. The two roads are adjacent and parallel. In that area, SR 55 transitions from an arterial road to a freeway, yet Newport Blvd is a 1-way street & has no trttaffic calming features to force exiting motorists to reduce speeds and respond to contextual clues that heighten awareness of other road users. This is another unnecessary case of deadly by design.
Brenda – I sure agree with what you wrote about Newport Blvd. However, unless I’m reading the OC Register article wrong, the CHP reports that Mr Gutierrez really was in the fast lane of the freeway. It hard to imagine why he would be there, but the result is the same, and my heart goes out to his loved ones.
Thank you so much for this article. This is the sister and family of the victim and we appreciate the respect with which you talked about him. Thanks for the sympathy and prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and all your family.
So Sorry about Gilbert he Attened School with Girls And was of fine Character very Kid Remember him .May he rest in Peace …..
Much love to the family during this very hard time. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you.