Ventura County is having its worst year in memory for bicycling deaths — and it’s only getting worse.
And this time, the victim was a kid.
According to a late night notice from the Simi Valley Police Department, the victim, identified only as a 13-year old juvenile riding an ebike, was killed in a collision with a train on Saturday.
The victim was riding on the east sidewalk of Sequoia Ave, heading south, when they “failed to stop in time” at the railroad crossing at Sequoia and Los Angeles Ave, and was struck by a passing Amtrak train.
It’s not clear if the victim died at the scene, or was taken to a local hospital.
A street view shows crossing gates on Sequoia, but it would have been easy to go around them on the sidewalk.
If the description is accurate, it suggests that the victim tried and failed to stop in time, raising questions of how fast the ebike was going — and what type of ebike a victim that young was riding. As well as why the crossing gates did not provide more warning before the train arrived.
It’s also possible that the victim may not have noticed the gates were down, or could have tried to go around the gates after they had been lowered.
Either way, it’s a needless tragedy that will be felt throughout the community.
Anyone with information is urged to call Simi Valley Police Department Traffic Investigator Abel Martinez at 805/583-6224, or email AMartinez@simivalley.org. Or contact Simi Valley Police Department Traffic Supervisor Sergeant Josh McAlister at 805/583-6940, email JMcAlister@simivalley.org.
This the 27th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the fourth in Ventura County.
That compares to three all year last year, and two the year before.
Update: The victim has been identified as 13-year old Reis Beck, “a loving, sports-crazed boy who had a special relationship with his three brothers and his parents.”
According to KCBS-2, he was riding a Class 3 ped-assist ebike, which could have legally reached speeds up to 28 mph. And as Christian points out below, he was riding on the sidewalk that would have faced traffic, so the traffic arm would have been on the opposite side of the railroad tracks.
KTLA-5 reports that a statement from the Simi Valley Youth Baseball League posted on Instagram describes Reis as “more than a talented ballplayer.”
“He was a beloved son, brother, teammate and a true friend to so many,” the post says. “His love for the game was evident every time he stepped on the field, but it was his kindness, his energy and his unforgettable smile that truly made him special.”
A memorial has been set up inside Simi Valley’s Sinaloa Middle School, where he was in the 7th grade.
Meanwhile, a crowdfunding campaign to support his family has raised more than $54,000 of the $90,000 goal.
My deepest sympathy for Reis Beck and all their friends, family and loved ones.
Thanks to Linda for the heads-up.
The description of the kid needing to go “around” the crossing gate is incorrect. If he was riding salmon(southbound) on east side sidewalk would’ve meant the crossing gate is on the other side of the tracks. The gates are meant to warn cars, peds, cyclists who are going w the flow of traffic not against it.
A tragedy none the less. That’s why I recommend riders of all ages take safety courses if they plan on taking up cycling whether e-bike, e-scooter, bike, scooter,…
Thanks, I didn’t catch that. It wouldn’t be correct to describe the victim as riding salmon, since sidewalks are non-directional. But you are right that he wouldn’t have had to go around the gates, because they would have been on the far side of the railroad tracks from where he was located. That still doesn’t explain why he didn’t notice the gates were down, but there would have been no need to go around anything. Good catch.
It’s absolutely not relevant mention e-bikes unless they were being illegally AND at a speed inappropriate for the conditions.
No reason to mention that it’s an E bike unless it was used illegally or was being operated in a way that was inappropriate for the conditions.
I mentioned that it was an ebike because a) that’s how Simi police described it, b) depending on the type of ebike, we don’t know fast it was going, which could have been a factor in why the victim couldn’t stop in time, c) we don’t know if the victim was on a legal ped-assist bike or an illegal e-motorbike or electric dirt bike, and d) a 13-year old can’t legally ride a Class 3 ebike, or anything capable of doing more than 20 mph.
The victim was not “taken to a local hospital”, but remained at the scene, covered with a tarp. Unknown as to when or if a medical examiner or coroner arrived at the scene.
Thank you for the correction.