The deadly toll affecting bike riders on Southern California streets continued in Chula Vista Monday afternoon.
Although this time, the killer wasn’t in a mobile vehicle.
It was a San Diego trolley.
According to multiple sources, the victim was riding an ebike across the Blue Line tracks near Moss Street and Industrial Blvd, when they were struck by the operator of a northbound trolley operated by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, or MTS, around 12:44 pm.
According to a witness, the victim was thrown “at least” seven or eight feet into the air by the impact of the crash. Afterwards, investigators focused on what appeared to be a backpack worn by the victim, as well as the shattered pieces of the bike.
There’s no word at this time about the identity of the victim, or whether the crossing gates were working at the time of the crash.
As the witness, Caleb Reyes, told San Diego’s NBC7, always look both ways before crossing any kind of street, pathway or railroad track.
And never, ever ignore railroad warning signals or ride around lowered crossing gates, regardless of whether you think the train has stopped or the danger has passed.
Because there’s a good chance you might be wrong.
This is at least the 30th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and their loved ones.
When cyclists or pedestrians are struck on tracks I always wonder if it was a situation where the guards stayed down after one train went through because a second train was coming from the opposite direction, and the victim didn’t realize that and went around the guard thinking it was stuck.
I wondered about that, too.