Heartbreaking news from Santa Paula, as a 16-year old boy died a week after he was struck by a driver while riding his bike.
According to the Ventura County Star, the victim, who was not publicly identified, was critically injured the collision at 5:53 pm on Wednesday, September 23rd, in the 100 block of West Santa Barbara Street in Santa Paula.
He was transferred to the intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where he remained in critical condition until passing away on this past Wednesday.
Unfortunately, no information is available about the crash. A street view simply shows what appears to be a pair of relatively quiet two-lane streets in a residential neighborhood.
Police say the driver, who remained at the scene, did not appear to be impaired at the time of the crash.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Santa Paula Police Department at 805/525-4474.
This is at least the 46th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in Ventura County.
It’s also the second fatal bicycling collision in the county in just one week; both victims died on the same day.
Update: The victim has been identified as 16-year old Santa Paula resident Matthew Ismael Castanon.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Matthew Ismael Castanon and his family and loved ones.
We offer up our prayers for the family and friends of the young victim.