Update: 42-year old woman killed in Lake Forest bicycling crash; 15th Orange County bike rider killed this year, equalling LA County

A 42-year old woman was killed riding a bike in Lake Forest Sunday afternoon, just hours after another Orange County bike rider lost his life.

According to the Orange County Register, Orange resident Hanna Tran was somehow struck by a motorist around 4 pm at Santiago Canyon Road and Modjeska Grade Road.

She was taken to Mission Hospital, where she was pronounced dead an hour later.

Once again, there is no word on how the crash happened. And the only mention of the driver is that he or she remained at the scene.

Orange County sheriff’s investigators report that there’s no evidence either the victim or the driver was under the influence; however, the investigation is ongoing.

The crash occurred just two and a half hours, and 32 miles away, from where Ho Cheong was killed riding his bike in La Palma.

This is at least the 58th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 15th that I’m aware of in Orange County.

That equals the total in LA County, with over three times the population.

Update: The Orange County Bicycle Coalition reports that Tran may have been killed as a result of road work on Santiago Canyon, which had greatly reduced lanes on the popular riding route, without any provision to keep bicyclists safe during the construction. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Hanna Tran and his loved ones.

Thanks to Bill Sellin and Victor Bale for the update.

3 comments

  1. JJD says:

    We offer up our prayers for the family and friends of Ms. Hanna Tran.

  2. Christian says:

    This is crazy. This is distracted driving. I’m guessing if she’s an Orange resident and riding on Santiago Loop she’s on her way back home on an ascent, making this accident less likely accidental. If she’s going south/descending, maybe she fell. The roadway there is one lane in either direction, very little distractions (driveways, turnouts), little passing, ample shoulder. Although it’s in the canyon and lighting maybe a problem since close to sunset.

  3. Bill Sellin says:

    Eye witnes reports through the Register article say she was riding south toward Lake Forest. County has allowed construction to ELIMINATE the Class II Bike Lane on both sides of the road and squeeze all traffic into 2 travel lanes on a hill.

    see https://www.facebook.com/ocbike/photos/a.143125005704648/4202928679724240/

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