It’s not an epidemic anymore.
It’s a SoCal pandemic.
According to multiple sources, yet another Southern California bike rider lost his life early Sunday morning.
And yet another heartless coward fled the scene, leaving an innocent victim to die in the street.
The Long Beach Police Department reports the victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, was riding south on Orange Ave, north of Del Amo Blvd, when he was run down from behind by a southbound driver around 3:20 am.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene, his body coming to rest in the bike lane he was most likely riding in.
There’s no information about the driver or the suspect vehicle at this time.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Kelsey Myers or Detective Shawn Loughlin of the LBPD Collision Investigation Detail at 562/570-7355.
This is at least the 36th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; it’s also the third fatal bicycling hit-and-run in the county in four days.
Exactly one third of those SoCal bike deaths have involved hit-and-run drivers, including five in less than the last two weeks, and eight in the past two months as more people have begun driving again.
This has got to stop.
Now.
Update: The victim has been identified as 30-year old Long Beach resident Dannon Santiago.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Dannon Santiago and his loved ones.
Our prayers go up for the family and friends of the victim.
My heart goes to his family and friends. This has got to stop. Bicycling is a great exercise, great for getting around and relieving stress and good for the planet. If every driver that killed someone with their car (at least physically, can’t track all the asthma deaths) had his\her driving license permanently revoked, maybe people would take it more seriously. Instead it seems it’s only taken for a few years. They should be bicyclists or pedestrians for everyone’s safety.
Still bicycling, in honor of my Dad, as does my sister.