For the second time in less than two weeks, a bike rider has been killed in a collision with a Metro bus.
According to KCBS-2, the victim, who has not been publicly identified, was hit by the bus around 3:15 pm Monday near Crenshaw Boulevard and Brynhurst Avenue. He or she became pinned underneath, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Unfortunately, no other details are available at this time.
A street view shows two lanes in each direction on Crenshaw, with the street narrowed due to construction on the Crenshaw Line on the center median.
This comes just ten days after 13-year old Ciara Smith was killed when she was hit by a Metro bus in Redondo Beach.
This is the 21st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 12th in Los Angeles County; it’s also the third in the City of Los Angeles.
Update: David Wolfberg provides more information about this tragedy, along with photos from the site.
The ghost bike was placed last night. We learned from after-the-crash witnesses that the bike and victim had been dragged for half a block on southbound Crenshaw before stopping just north of Brynhurst – literally between a billboard for a personal injury attorney service to the north on the east side of Crenshaw (“Don’t wait, Call 8!” you can see on the street view) and the Harrison-Ross Mortuary on the west/south. Apparently there’s also a pedestrian & bike safety billboard on the other side of of the personal injury one – I’ll check that tonight.The Google Map view (see street view link above) from January still holds except the cones are gone – so, two lanes of not so great pavement between curb and k-rails. There’s even a worn out sharrow in front of Highly Favored Hair Studio. Last night, instead of slowing down for a construction zone, cars were speeding and speeding up as they passed us, and we nearly witnessed another crash as a car stopped just north of the ghost bike to pick up a passenger from the sidewalk. I worry not just for cyclists, but for everyone here including construction workers who park (in a heavily guarded lot) a block down on the NW corner of Crenshaw and 48th then must cross into the construction area.We’re told the victim was male. A reply on NextDoor indicates the victim was a minor. We had guessed, given the timing, that it was a kid biking home from school. I don’t want to speculate too much, but it did not look like an intersection crash where the bike flew in from out of nowhere. I could picture a rider trying to hug the curb and coming across the rough patch adjacent to the sharrow (check street view at 4427 Crenshaw) and faltering in front of the bus.
Update: According to a comment by the victim’s sister, his name is Luis Alvarez, a 21-year old resident of Cicero, Illinois. The family has started a GoFundMe account to bring him back home and pay funeral expenses.
According to the LAPD’s South Traffic bike liaison, Alvarez apparently passed the bus on the right, then was hit by the bus when he attempted to move back to the right to make a right turn onto Brynhurst. There’s no word yet on whether the bus was stopped or moving prior to the crash; however, a street view does not show a bus stop on that corner.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Luis Alvarez and all his loved ones.
We offer up our prayers for the family and friends of the victim.
Thank you.
>His Mom
Condolences to the family and friends.
Thank you.
>His mom.
This is a horrible tragedy and was likely preventable. I hate to pile on with the other PI attorneys, but I have litigated against Metro and know that their own training materials state that the driver is at least partially at fault in bus v. bike crashes. Metro trains drivers extensively to look for cyclists, to assume they cannot see, and avoid them. I am happy to share it with whoever wants it, including other attorneys and/or the family. No strings attached. Either way, sending my deepest condolences and positive energy.
That was my brother who got hit by that bus. This post means so much to me as it probably would’ve to him. Thank you for all of the condolences.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Elizabeth. Please know that our hearts and prayers are with you and your family.
Would you mind telling us your brother’s name so we can add it to this story, and put it on the ghost bike?
His name was Luis Alvarez, he was just 21 years old. He was here in L.A just to meet our grandparents, we’re from Cicero Illinois. We’re now trying our hardest to bring him back home and have his funeral with all his friends and family.
His name was Luis Alvarez, he was just 21 years old. He was here in L.A just to meet our grandparents, we’re from Cicero Illinois. We’re now trying our hardest to bring him back home and have his funeral with all his friends and family. We have started a gofundme to help us bring him back home since we have nobody here in California trying to help us..
It looks like this is the link to the GoFundMe account. Is that correct? And have you retained a lawyer? I can recommend some very good attorneys in the LA area who are well versed in bike law if you like. A lawyer may be able to help cut through some of the red tape and help get your brother home. I have your email if you’d like me to contact you.
Yes that is correct, that’s the gofundme account. Once again thank you for taking your time to write about his accident and thank you for all of the condolences.
Elizabeth.
I did not know your Brother wish i had. All cyclist are precious creatures.
Aubrey
Thank you.
>His Mom
Hello Elizabeth,
My name is Virginia and we met at my place of work when you walked in with your mom. I was googling information regarding this case and I am so happy you were able to take your brother home. I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank god your mom was able to get him home.
Virginia,
how can can i ever forget your kindness, your patience and overall your compassion during that day we approached you not knowing what exactly we where even looking for.
They say Angels exist…I confirmed this during those terrible days of my life. My family and I became surrounded by every single one of them that helped us get back on our feet.
Thank you! I will forever remember you.
Elizabeth.
I did not know your Brother wish i had. All cyclist are precious creatures.
Aubrey
Virginia,
how can can i ever forget your kindness, your patience and overall your compassion during that day we approached you not knowing what exactly we where even looking for.
They say Angels exist…I confirmed this during those terrible days of my life. My family and I became surrounded by every single one of them that helped us get back on our feet.
Thank you! I will forever remember you.