BikinginLA

A 60-year old Irvine man has become the latest victim of a hit-and-run driver in Southern California.

This time in Santa Ana Thursday evening.

Multiple sources are reporting that the victim, identified as Francois Primeau, was riding his bicycle through the intersection of Standard and Warner avenues around 6:15 pm yesterday, when he was struck by a driver headed west on Warner.

The driver sped away without stopping, leaving Primeau with significant injuries. He died at the scene.

There’s no description of the driver or suspect vehicle at this time.

According to New Santa Ana,

Santa Ana Context: Data reveals over 100 annual bicycle injuries or fatalities within city limits, placing Santa Ana 6th worst out of 15 comparable California cities for cyclist safety. Hit-and-run incidents are remarkably prevalent, with the city averaging 174 injury-causing hit-and-runs annually.

Anyone with information is urged to call Santa Ana Police Detective K. Briley at 714/245-8215 or the Traffic Division of the Santa Ana Police Department at 714/245-8200.

This is the 35th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, the fifth we know about in Orange County this year, and the third in Santa Ana in less than six weeks.

It was also the 10th fatal hit-and-run involving a bike rider in Southern California this year.

Update: KTLA-5 reports that 38-year old Edjan Rocha turned himself in to Santa Ana police over the weekend, after investigators had discovered and impounded the vehicle he was allegedly driving. 

At last report, the Santa Ana resident was being held on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run. 

According to Road.cc, Primeau was a leading oceanographer whose work helped scientists better predict the effects of climate change.  

A statement from Kieron Burke, the Interim Dean of School of Physical Sciences at UC Irvine reads, in part, 

Francois joined the UC Irvine Department of Earth System Science in 2001 and quickly became an indispensable member of our community. He served as Chair of the department from 2021 to 2024. During his tenure, he helped the school navigate the aftermath of COVID-19 and worked to minimize disruptions for students and faculty members.

He was an internationally recognized leader in physical oceanography and ocean biogeochemistry, whose work helped deepen our understanding of global ocean circulation and global carbon and nutrient cycles. His research yielded foundational insights into the ocean’s role in regulating climate, including landmark studies on ocean ventilation, the global nitrogen budget, and the strength of the biological carbon pump. His work has equipped scientists with the tools to make more accurate climate predictions—a legacy that will benefit generations to come.

Francois was a dedicated leader, researcher, mentor, colleague, and friend. He will be remembered for his excitement in sharing mathematical insights and his enthusiasm for Bayesian statistics. His smile was always warm, and his door was always open. We were all fortunate to know him and to count him among our community. We have lost one of our best.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Francois Primeau and all his loved ones.