Once again, we have to ask ourselves how old is too old to drive.
Because a 79-year old Oxnard driver somehow killed a man riding a bicycle directly ahead of her, on a dark roadway “notorious” for crashes involving bike riders and pedestrians.
According to the Ventura County Star, the victim, identified only as a 23-year old man, was riding on Wooley Road near Industrial Ave when he was run down from behind around 6:30 pm Wednesday.
Police found the victim lying in the eastbound lanes of Wooley, suffering from major injuries. RMG News reports he was taken to a local hospital, but died in transport.
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The grill of her massive older SUV showed damage to the center of the grill, suggesting the victim was right in front of her in center of the lane.
Video showed the victim’s red road bike crumpled on the side of the roadway. There are no lights visible on his bicycle in the video. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean he didn’t have any, either on him or on his bike.
RMG News describes that stretch of Wooley Road as known for “being poorly lit and the site of multiple past collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists.”
So the question remains why she couldn’t avoid someone who, at the very least, should been clearly lit up by her headlights.
We have no way of knowing whether her age was a factor in the crash. It’s possible it could have affected her ability to see the victim on the dark street, or reduced her ability to react in time.
Which is exactly the problem.
Due to limited testing of elderly drivers, we have no way of knowing who can operate their vehicles safely, day or night — and who can’t.
Or who shouldn’t be driving at all.
There’s also a question of why a street known to be hazardous for people walking and biking hasn’t been improved, or at least lighted well enough to prevent crashes.
We’re not likely to get the answers. But those are questions any lawyer will undoubtedly ask.
This is the fifth bicycling fatality that I’m aware in of Southern California this year, and the first in Ventura County.
Update: The victim has been identified as 23-year old Port Hueneme resident Jacob Dildine.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Jacob Dildine and his loved ones.
I think it’s more important to look at the dimly lit environment before questioning the driver’s ability. Senior drivers are less likely to speed on a dark road, which could easily have been the case had it been a younger, more aggressive driver. Ask yourself this: If the driver had been 35 years old would you have rushed to that kind of blanket judgment? Or would you have looked for personal behaviors, such as drinking?
What about this young people on bikes with dark clothes and zero lights or reflectors on their bikes. You just can assign responsibility on some one just because of their age.
She should have saw him directly in front of her, yeah, 79 is too old to drive if you don’t see a person clearly directly in front of you.
This is a phenomenon I’ve been noticing more and more, usually young males dressed in black hoodies, black pants walking or bicycling in the road. Even with contemporary LED headlights on low beam, these people blend in with the dark background. I honestly think that legislation should come about causing pedestrians or bicyclists after dark to either have reflective outer attire or some sort of lights. This young male did not deserve to die, but I will be willing to bet that he was wearing dark clothes, pedaling unlit bike. Age may be a factor, but it is only one factor.
Jacob was a kind young Petty Officer Third Class US Navy who was bicycling on his way to worship the Lord at a local church. Now Jacob is worshipping at the feet of Jesus in heaven. https://www.geiple.com/obituaries/jacob-dildine?ttm_pid=210795763&ttm_affiliate=legacypro&ttm_affiliatetype=standard&ttm_campaign=legacy
Jacob was a kind young Petty Officer Third Class US Navy who was bicycling on his way to worship the Lord at a local church. Now Jacob is worshipping at the feet of Jesus in heaven. https://www.geiple.com/obituaries/jacob-dildine?ttm_pid=210795763&ttm_affiliate=legacypro&ttm_affiliatetype=standard&ttm_campaign=legacy
Thank you for your kind words. We are friends of the mother and stepfather in Pennsylvania. Devastating news but your testimony brought some real comfort about this young man! Be Blessed!