Well, it was nice while it lasted.
We made it a full week without someone getting killed riding a bicycle somewhere on the mean streets of Southern California.
That ended Tuesday night, when a driver somehow managed to run down not one, but two people riding bikes in Banning.
One is expected to survive, anyway.
According to multiple sources, the victims were riding on the 5300 block of W. Ramsey Street near Apex Ave when they were struck by the driver, who stayed at the scene, a little before 9 pm.
A 33-year old woman suffered severe injuries and died at the scene, while the 32-year old man she was riding with was hospitalized with major injuries.
There is no word on how the crash occurred, or why the driver apparently failed to see two adults riding bicycles. However, police don’t suspect the driver of being under the influence.
Police believe the victims may have been homeless, which raises the possibility they may not have had lights on their bikes, though wheel reflectors can be seen in video from the crash scene.
And whether or not they were housed should not, and does not, lesson the tragedy in any way.
There is a painted bike lane with a narrow buffer in both directions on Ramsey, with nothing to slow drivers on the long, straight roadway at that hour.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Traffic Bureau of the Banning Police Department at 951/922-3170.
This the 24th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the third in San Diego County.
Which means someone has been killed riding a bicycle in Southern California an average of every three-and-a-half days since the first of the year.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victims and all their family and loved ones.
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