A man was killed riding on PCH in Santa Monica Thanksgiving afternoon.
Or maybe in early morning.
According to the Santa Monica Daily Press, the victim was struck by a driver while riding on Pacific Coast Highway around 4 pm, between Entrada and the California Incline.
Meanwhile, the Santa Monica Observer — which may not be the most credible source — places the time of the crash at 3:07 am the same day, on the 500 block of southbound PCH, with the victim’s body coming to rest on the sidewalk of the next block.
Although that isn’t too surprising, given the typical speeds on SoCal’s killer highway, especially at that hour.
The victim died at the scene.
Both reports indicate the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, and wasn’t suspected of being under the influence.
There’s no word on how the crash occurred.
A promotional site for lawyers identifies the victim as 28-year old Andrew Prenatt; that site also places the crash at 3:07 am.
This is at least the 75th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 25th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.
Which means a full third of people killed riding a bike in the seven county SoCal region have been killed in the county.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Andrew Prenatt and all his family and loved ones.
Riding a bicycle on PCH is utterly insane. There’s barely room for the two lanes of cars. I’m amazed we don’t see more bike fatalities there. Why would anyone risk it?
I’ve been riding for nearly 60 years. I used to ride club rides up to Trancas on PCH in the 70’s and I’ve ridden down from Santa Barbara more recently. It’s a death trap, particularly the section the cyclist was killed on. It’s effectively a freeway between Entrada and the tunnel.
There’s a bike path all along there–well away from the highway.
Yes, there is. The question is why wasn’t the victim using it? A lot depends on whether the crash was in the early morning or later afternoon; I wouldn’t ride that secluded path in the middle of the night, either. He may have also thought it was safe on the highway in light Thanksgiving traffic if it was in the afternoon, or could have been unaware there was a path there if he wasn’t from the area. Unfortunately, given the limited information, we may never know.