Sad news from Temecula, where a man on a bicycle died following a Wednesday night collision.
According to the Valley News, the victim was struck by a truck driver who was turning right from eastbound Temecula Parkway to Pechanga Parkway around 8:52 pm last night.
Riverside County sheriff’s deputies responding to the scene found the man, who has not been publicly identified, lying in the roadway suffering from major injuries. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died today.
There was no indication that alcohol was a factor.
Based on the limited description, it would appear the rider was the victim of a right hook. However, there’s no word on where the victim was riding at the time of the crash.
A satellite view shows a major intersection with seven through lanes and two right turn lanes on Temecula, which suggests that he may have been riding on the sidewalk and rode off into the crosswalk. However, that is just a guess at this time.
Anyone with information is urged to call Officer Carpenter at the Temecula Police Department at 951/696-3000.
This is the 15th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the second in Riverside County.
Update: The victim has been identified as 56-year old John Napolitano.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for John Napolitano and his loved ones.
excuse but what is a right hook?
That’s where a rider is on the right side of the road and continues straight through an intersection. A vehicle overtakes and partially passes the rider, then turns right at the intersection, striking the rider.
Russian roulette. More favorable odds, but Russian roulette all the same.
It will be increasingly unacceptably unsafe to ride a bicycle on California roadways until the pestilence of mobile phones and automobile infotainment systems is replaced by autonomous vehicles.
Our prayers go up for the family and friends of the victim.