Once again, someone has been killed riding a bicycle in Southern California. And once again, it never made the news.
This time, in Upland.
And this time, the victim was a beloved member of the endurance cycling community.
According to world endurance cycling team BarrUltra, Donna Orange passed away after being struck by a driver while on a training ride.
She is described as a distinguished and groundbreaking psychoanalyst, a world-class cyclist, and an active member of the endurance cycling community, despite being well into her 80s. In fact, she competed in the 6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships (WTTC) in Borrego Springs, California at the beginning of this month.
I’m told Orange was struck when she was traveling east on 16th Street at San Antonio Ave this Tuesday, after a driver headed west on 16th entered the intersection at the same time and left-hooked her while turning onto southbound San Antonio.
Which means there should be no question who was at fault. And it’s not her.
She reportedly died after being taken off life-support at the Pomona Valley Medical Center this weekend.
You can learn more about Orange in the post below.
This is at least the 50th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.
How many more there are that we haven’t learned about remains an open question.
Correction: I originally misidentified the victim as Barbara Orange rather than Donna. I apologize for the mistake.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Donna Orange and her loved ones.
Awful news.
May her memory be a blessing.
I was so saddened to learn that another cyclists was struck by a car. I did not know Barbara Orange, but I wish I did. She is truly inspiring to be on her bike at 80 being so dedicated and enthusiastic. God bless her and her family
I’m so sorry, I just learned your sisters name is Donna, not Barbara.
Hello Friends, I am Donna’s sister and our family…her husband and 8 siblings surviving her, thank you for your kind words. She was truly an enthusiastic and avid cyclist and a beloved person. We are all blessed for having known her. May you all be safe.
Hi, Mary. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope Donna’s memory will bring you peace and joy in the years to come.
Hello,
I am a psychoanalyst in NYC and Donna Orange has been an inspiration t me and my colleagues for decades. Her prolific and astute understanding of the human condition has eased the pain of countless lives. I thank your her and all the love she gave to our field. May your pain be eased with love and her memory eternal
Dear Mary,
I was a friend of Donna. She was absolutely amazing. Is there a way i could contact Don? we would meet her and Don when we went to Maine and I miss her dearly.
I live 3 blocks from there, and I ride through this intersection all the time. Scary how people just don’t pay attention when driving. I am very careful to assume the worst in people’s traffic decisions.
The entire community is deeply saddened by this tragic accident. We hope that drivers who traverse our city pay closer attention to those who ride along side the roads with them and that they take a few more moments to make sure the roadway is safe to make changes in their direction of travel.
May Donna’s family find peace at this most difficult time and may her spirit live on in those she so inspired.
Why, whenever a cyclist is killed by a negligent driver, charges are never filed against the automobile driver? Why are car drivers immune from any prosecution when they are negligent? I just don’t get it. Even when found to be 100% at fault are any charges rarely brought against any of these drivers. Just so far this year in southern California alone we have lost 50 cyclists! Ask any cyclist if they have ever had a close call or been almost ran over by in-attentive “or sometime on purpose” auto drivers, and most all will tell you yes, yes, yes..! We have no rights on our roads and your literally killing us! A driver can purposely run down a cyclist and kill him/her and just say I’m sorry I didn’t see him/her. This must stop! Are 50 drivers currently in jail or out on bail? I can betcha not one of them is either one!
As a former long distance rider, I am once again saddened and pissed off. Too many of our fellow cyclists suffer from inattentive drivers.
Full self driving vehicles will help keep us alive. Please support FSD.
Cygolite……made in USA……This device will save your life. The 350 model can be seen 1 mile away in full sun. Just as important. Get a very bright blinking front light. Cars pulling out to pass will spot you. My recommendation is a Wurkkas TS21 mini torch. This thing will burn the eyeballs out of drivers at night so us it only for daytime. Sure there are lots of bicycle lights but most are over rated. This thing has worked flawlessly for 3 years. I’m talking Canadian winters,rain,salt. Just a small recommendation for the 350 tail light. I give mine a single wrap in saran wrap. They say it’s not necessarily, but water, salt and snow will work its way in without the extra guard. Hope this helps……