Update: 82-year old man murdered by hit-and-run driver in San Diego’s Rolando Village; 5th San Diego County bike death this month

Unbelievable.

Yet another person has been killed while riding a bike on the mean streets of Southern California.

And once again, a heartless coward fled the scene.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, an 82-year-old man was riding in the bike lane on the 4400 block of College Ave near Adelaide Ave in San Diego’s Rolando Village neighborhood, when he was run down by a driver around 2:55 pm.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was struck from behind when the driver made an unsafe move to the right, hitting his bicycle with the right front of her massive Cadillac SUV.

He was taken to a nearby hospital with multiple injuries, and died sometime after arrival.

At his age, he deserved far better.

The 52-year old driver fled the scene, but was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run when she returned an hour later.

Anyone with information is urged to call 858/495-7800, or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888/580-8477.

This is at least the 61st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of in San Diego County, including five just this month.

Twenty of those deaths have been at the hands of hit-and-run drivers.

Update: I received the following email Saturday morning; I’m withholding the sender’s name to protect her privacy.

This is the cost of traffic violence.

The article about an 82 year old bicyclist being murdered in Rolando Village on August 25th was my dear sweet church friend George.

I have known him for years.

He was STILL doing construction work and kept busy and never missed church.

At our church we all sit and eat together on Sundays after church service. I had lunch with George about 3 weeks ago.

He was telling me after 80 years old the DMV makes it hard to renew your license. That’s why he was riding his bicycle.

I am absolutely crushed to hear of his death.

Here I am up half the night thinking about him. It is 4 a.m. and I am googling articles to see what all happened. I can not believe this happened. All it takes is a few seconds and he is gone and families changed forever, including the driver’s.

George H. was the kindest man. Although the situation is maddening and disheartening, he would never want the driver to suffer for this.

I know George and knew how he was and he had a heart of gold. One time he employed a newly-made friend of mine who was homeless. The homeless man relinquished his  2 dogs to me to be able to get them off the street. When I told George about this stranger’s plight he hired the man in a blink of an eye. He was that way. A true Christian man. He will be greatly missed.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and all his loved ones. 

 

6 comments

  1. Thing is there likely would have been no charges for killing a cyclist IN THE BIKE LANE, had they just stopped before the end of the block. It would have been “an accident” with nobody to blame instead of a felony. Now that doesn’t mean I’m going to tell drivers to stick around when they kill a cyclist because hit-and-run is usually the only thing killer drivers get charged with, no they should detach their license plates and leave them with the cyclist for safe-keeping before leaving the state.

  2. Corine Horeth says:

    The man who was killed was my father, George. I was hoping to be connected with the woman whose email you posted, I would really like to be in touch with her!

    • bikinginla says:

      Hi, Corine. I’m so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know George, but I’ve been devastated by his death. I will forward your email to the woman, so she can reach out to you if she wants. I hope you and all your family can find peace in his memory.

    • Lisa Marie Kolstad says:

      Hi Corine. You don’t know me, but I was friends with your dad for many years. I used to have a karaoke business and George would come to most of my shows. I’ve even had him to my home for dinner. He was a super nice guy, and quite a good singer too! I just learned of his passing last night and it just breaks my heart. My heart goes out to you. I would like to be informed of any memorial services. I still just can’t believe it. His life was taken way too soon.

      • Corine Horeth says:

        Lisa, we are having a memorial gathering for my dad on Tuesday, 9/27, at the Torrey Pines Gliderport at 3pm

  3. Corine Horeth says:

    Hi Lisa, he sure did love his karaoke!!! Please send me your contact information, would love to meet you and let you know about plans for a memorial… corine2002@gmail.com

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