Please make it stop.
For the 13th time in the last 22 days, someone was killed riding a bicycle on the deadly streets of Southern California.
This time in Long Beach.
And just hours after another woman died in Santa Monica.
According to My News LA, a man was struck by a driver around 3:20 Saturday afternoon, while riding on Pacific Ave at Wardlow Road in front of the Metro Wardlow A Line station in west Long Beach.
The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died after being taken to a local hospital.
The driver stayed at the scene, and cooperated with investigators.
Unfortunately, that’s all we know at this time.
This is at least the 48th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 14th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; it’s also the fourth person killed riding a bicycle in bike-friendly Long Beach in 2023.
Update: At least now we know what happened.
According to KCBS-2, the victim was riding across Pacific Place north of Wardlow when he was struck by a pickup driver traveling east on Pacific. He was struck with the side of the pickup, despite the driver’s attempt to swerve.
Based on the description, it seems likely he was attempting to leave the Metro station, with no traffic signal or crosswalk to get across the roadways safely.
The driver, identified only as a 43-year old Long Beach resident, remained at the scene and attempted to resuscitate the victim before paramedics arrived. She reportedly cooperated with investigators, who said she did not appear to be distracted, impaired or speeding at the time of the crash.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Long Beach Police Department at 562/570-7355.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his family.
