Southern California’s deadliest roadway has claimed another life.
This time in Ventura County. And once again, the victim appears to be a road cyclist.
According to the Ventura County Star, the victim was struck by a motorist while riding in the northbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway shortly before 11:15 this morning.
They place the crash in Ventura County near the sand dunes south of Thornhill Broome Beach, about 2.4 miles south of Mugu Rock.
Meanwhile, KVTA 1590 places the collision on PCH north of Sycamore Canyon Road at 11:13 am.
The station reports the victim was leading a group of eight other bicyclists on the shoulder of the highway when the rider allegedly made an abrupt turn into the northbound traffic lane, and was hit by a driver traveling at 55 mph.
Ventura County firefighters said someone was performing CPR on the victim when they arrived. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and additional units were called off.
There’s no information yet on the identity of the victim or the driver. And no word on why the victim may have swerved into the traffic lane, or what group the riders may have been associated with, if any.
Despite recent efforts to improve safety, too many people have died, and continue to die, on PCH as a result of traffic violence. And too many of those have been riding bicycles.
This was at least the seventh bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first that I’m aware of in Ventura County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and all their loved ones.
The victim was a member of the LA Tri Club on a training ride. I got a call on it this afternoon and have more details but don’t want to say more till the family has been notified which wasn’t done at the time I was called.
“ the rider allegedly made an abrupt turn into the northbound traffic lane”
Assuming that’s accurate, sounds like the driver might have been closer than three feet, in violation of CVC 21760.
Swerves like that are usually to avoid a hazard on the shoulder, moving from a few inches right of the edge stripe to a few inches left of the stripe. The whole point of the three foot passing law is to allow for occasional necessary abrupt swerves like that.