Sadly, we got yet another tragic reminder today that bike racing can be a dangerous sport.
And this time, it happened in our own back yard.
The following notice went out Thursday from the El Dorado Race Series by Bikeable Communities, via email and Facebook.
Tuesday at the El Dorado Race Series in Long Beach.
We are deeply saddened to report that our friend and colleague Gerry Gutierrez passed away earlier today.
We know that everyone in our community is saddened at this incredible loss and want to give heart felt condolences to his wife, Stephanie, to his entire family and his many many friends. He truly was a very special member of our community and a beloved family man.
When available we will post any information on a memorial and a location where people can post their condolences and comments about this wonderful and much loved man.
Then there was this in an email from Allyson Vought.
Sadly, Gerry had a crash in the Masters race on the first lap at El Dorado her in Long Beach for reasons yet to be revealed and he never regained consciousness.
I and many others had the great pleasure to know Gerry from our group rides together, and he was a great rider with a warm and engaging soul. His Pop’s, Gerry Gutierrez Sr. was a racer from the 90’s at Eldo as well, and had JUST returned to riding from much prompting from Jr.
According to Gerry Gutierrez’ Facebook page, he lived in Downey and worked as physical education teacher in Beverly Hills.
Gutierrez posted this from the previous week’s El Dorado race on Facebook.
It was his final post.
Unfortunately, no other information is available at this time. Hopefully, we’ll get more details soon.
This is at least the 44th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 18th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Gerry Gutierrez and all his family and loved ones.
Thanks to Allyson Vought and Danny Gamboa for the heads-up.
We offer up our prayers for the family and friends of Mr. Gutierrez.
I worked with Gerry in Beverly Hills. I’m truly saddened. He is deeply missed. He was a very talkative and friendly down to earth person who loved his wife, family and friends. He was cared about all of the kids he worked with. He was respectful and funny. I’m in shock at this tragedy. My condolences to his wife and family. Please keep us posted.
I worked with him and he was a great man. He always talked to me and I greeted him. We discussed life and joked around together. The last time we were together was before summer started, the last thing we said to each other was “Have a great summer, I will see you very soon.” We both smiled and left, never knew it was going to be the last time I see him.
RIP
I didn’t have the pleasure to know Mr. Gutierrez but by all accounts he was a very good man, loved by many, especially his wife and their family. Several of our members rode and raced with Gerry at Eldo- they have nothing but good things to say about him. On behalf of Major Taylor Cycling Club Los Angeles I offer my sincere sympathy and condolences to Gerry’s family, loved ones and friends at this time of tremendous loss and sadness.
Gerry had been working in Garden Grove Unified School District. He was the adapted PE teacher at my school (Crosby) last year. He was a very nice person and so kind and patient with his students. We are deeply saddened to hear of his accident and passing. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Gerry had been working in Garden Grove Unified School District. He was the adapted PE teacher at my school (Crosby) last year. He was a very nice person and so kind and patient with his students. We are deeply saddened to hear of his accident and passing. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Thank you all for your very kind words of my nephew Gerry Jr. I never realized he touched so many people. He really loved people. From the stranger on the street to the 30 new kids in his class, he the saw the individual beauty in everyone.
I was there that day and helped to keep him in the side lying position to keep his airway open. So happened there was an off duty LA fire guy there as well. My background is as an ER nurse. The fire guy and myself discussed our options with no equipment available and decided to keep his spine immobilized and to have him remain side lying as the airway at the time was the most important consideration at the moment. I went through his jersey looking for a cell, but did not find anything. Another person on the side had 911 on the line and asked for his mobile to relay info to EMS. When EMS dis arrive, I left, shaken. Later a friend did text me of what happened which led me to search the net and I found this. Thoughts go out to remaining family and friends.
Thank you
Met Gerry back in the fourth grade , he was always a good kid all the way up to high school . Lost touch after 2000 . Really sad about this ,I hope nothing but the best for his wife friends and family .