Archive for Bicycle Safety

35-year old Long Beach man dies 2 weeks after crash with alleged speeding driver, who was arrested at the scene

October 24, 2025 / / One comment

For the third time this week, a Southern California bike rider has died.

But at least the driver stuck around this time.

According to Long Beach Watchdog, a man died two weeks after he was struck by an alleged speeding driver while riding his bicycle in Long Beach October 6th.

The victim, identified as 35-year old Long Beach resident Raul Augustin Gallopa, was biking east on Fourth Street at Bonito Ave around 7:53 pm when the driver of a BMW slammed into him as Gallopa tried to turn north onto Bonita.

Twenty-four-year old Ahkeyajahnique Owens of Long Beach was arrested at the scene for reckless driving, as police accused him of traveling at a high rate of speed on the narrow three-lane street; there’s no word at this time whether he has been formally charged.

Gallopa was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where he died on Monday; however, police weren’t told of his death until Friday.

Anyone with information is urged to call Collision Investigation Detail Detective Ashley Van Holland of the Long Beach Police Department at 562/570-7355.

Long Beach Watchdog reports this was the 47th traffic fatality reported by the LBPD this year, compared to 40 deaths from traffic violence for all of last year.

Meanwhile, Gallopa’s death is at least the 50th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the tenth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Raul Augustin Gallopa and all his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , ,

45-year old man riding bicycle killed by two separate hit-and-run drivers in Vernon Wednesday morning

October 23, 2025 / / No comments

For the second time this week, someone riding a bicycle has been murdered killed by a heartless coward in a motor vehicle.

Or in this case, two heartless cowards.

Multiple sources are reporting that a man was killed in Vernon when he was struck by not one, but two drivers yesterday morning.

The victim was riding on Pacific Avenue (or Pacific Blvd) near 45th Street around 6:30 am Wednesday when he was run down by a driver traveling south on Pacific. He was knocked into the northbound lane, where he was hit by the second driver.

The victim died at the scene. He has been identified as 45-year old William Valle.

Neither driver remained at the scene and assisted the victim, as required by law. There’s no description of either driver or their vehicles at this time.

At that point, Pacific is a six lane virtual highway with a wide, sweeping curve, where drivers could easily exceed the posted 40 mph speed limit at that hour.

There’s no word on how quickly the second crash followed the first, or if it could have been prevented if the first driver had simply stopped after the crash to warn approaching drivers about victim lying in the roadway.

Valle’s death comes two days to the hour after Eric Williams was killed by an alleged drugged hit-and-run driver while riding on PCH in Huntington Beach Monday morning.

This is at least the 49th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

Eighteen of those SoCal drivers have now fled the scene, or more than one out of every three fatal crashes involving someone on a bicycle since the first of this year.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for William Valle and all his loved ones. 

Thanks to James Johnson for the heads-up. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,

Update: One man killed, two others severely injured by alleged drugged, hit-and-run driver on PCH in Huntington Beach

October 20, 2025 / / 7 comments

This is not how any of us wanted to start the week.

Because once again, a motor vehicle has become a weapon of mass destruction in the wrong hands, killing one man and severely injuring two others.

And once again, on PCH in Huntington Beach.

According to multiple sources, the victims were run down, apparently from behind, while riding in the bike lane on southbound PCH just north of Newland Street around 6:45 this morning.

That would put it in the vicinity of Lifeguard Station 13.

Police arrived to find the victims strewn in the traffic lane, their shattered bicycles on the side of the road.

One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene; he has not been publicly identified at this time.

However, KTLA-5 reported on air that the victims were members of a Long Beach bike club.

The driver fled the scene, but was arrested after stopping on the side of the road about half-a-mile away. Given the damage to the victims and their bikes, it’s likely her 2006 Mercedes E-Class wasn’t in drivable condition.

Police identified her as 43-year old Long Beach resident Amber Calderon, who was booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, gross vehicular manslaughter, felony DUI and possession of narcotics.

If she has a previous DUI on her record, those charges would likely be upgraded to murder.

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash. However, under California law, DUI can be considered a contributing factor, but not the proximate cause of any collision.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team of the Huntington Beach Police Department at 714/536-5670.

This is at least the 48th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in Orange County.

Drivers have fled the scene in 16 of those SoCal crashes, or one out of every three fatal crashes involving someone on a bicycle since the first of the year.

Update: The victim who died at the scene has been identified as 45-year old Garden Grove resident Eric John Williams.

There’s still no word on the identities or condition of the other victims.

Update 2: We have more information about the victims, thanks to a crowdfunding page for Eric Williams’ family, and a press release from the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

I’ll just let his family tell the story.

Our family is heartbroken. On October 20th, our brother-in-law Eric Williams — a devoted husband, father of four, and beloved pastor — was tragically killed while cycling in Huntington Beach. We’re doing everything we can to surround our sister Robyn and the kids with love and stability, and so many have asked how they can help. This fund has been created to support them through the days ahead.

Eric was a Godly man with a heart for Jesus and for people. He spent his life serving others — first as a youth and teaching pastor at Seaside Community Church, and later as the founder of Community Church of West Garden Grove. He was kind, funny, and steady in his faith, always lifting others up.

He and Robyn had just celebrated 20 years of marriage. Their children — Julia (high school freshman), Jeanette (6th grade), Alice (4th grade), and little James (3 years old) — were his greatest joy.

As of this writing, the crowdfunding campaign has raised an amazing $266,964 in less than three days.

Meanwhile, the driver, Amber Kristine Calderon, was arraigned in Santa Ana on Wednesday.

Calderon was charged with one felony count of hit and run causing permanent injury or death, and two felony counts of hit and run with injury.

Thanks to California’s lax hit-and-run laws, she faces a maximum sentence of 5 years and four months, according to the DA’s office. She did not enter a plea, and the hearing was rescheduled for Nov. 13 in the West Justice Center in Westminster.

Yes, that’s all.

Although the charges and possible jail time could change, depending on the results of her toxicology report.

The DA’s office says the other two victims, who should not be overlooked in the anger and grief over Williams death, suffered serious injuries “including spinal fractures, broken ribs, a broken ankle, as well as cuts and bruises.”

The press release also provides more information on how Calderon was taken into custody.

Despite having significant damage to her hood, windshield, front bumper and losing her passenger side mirror at the site of the collision, Calderon is accused of driving on a flat tire for another 2/3 of a mile to a beach parking lot at Magnolia Street and driving past the parking kiosk without paying.

A parking attendant flagged her down before a witness to the crash blocked Calderon in with his vehicle and told the parking attendant not to let her leave because she had just hit three bicyclists. The parking attendant radioed for the California State Parks Police to respond.

Calderon was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run resulting in death or injury, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony driving under the influence causing death or injury, and possession of a hard drug with a prior conviction. Toxicology results are still pending.

My News LA reports that Calderon has previous convictions for misdemeanor petty theft, felony sale or transport of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor burglary.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Eric John Williams and the other victims and their loved ones. And best wishes for a full and fast recovery for the survivors. 

Thanks to Michael, Zachary, James Johnson, Jeffrey, Mike and William for the heads-up. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

58-year old man killed riding bicycle in El Cajon crash, CHP blames the victim; 11th bike death in San Diego County this year

October 15, 2025 / / 3 comments

A man was killed riding a bicycle in El Cajon Tuesday afternoon.

Yet despite saying the crash is still under investigation, the California Highway Patrol seemed to put the blame on him.

According to San Diego‘s Fox5, the victim was riding north on Blossom Valley Road at Quail Canyon Road, when he was struck by the driver of a Mercedes around 3:52 pm.

The victim, identified only as a 58-year old man, apparently died at the scene. He was reportedly riding a Centurion bicycle, which went out of production in the US at the turn of the century.

The CHP alleges the man “entered the intersection in front of the Mercedes, for reasons still under investigation.”

Which could mean almost anything.

The three-way intersection is controlled only with a stop sign on the base of a hill on Blossom Valley, while there appear to be bike lanes on both Blossom Valley and Quail Canyon.

The CHP also notes that the victim wasn’t wearing a helmet, even though there’s no suggestion that he died of a head injury, or that the crash would have been survivable with or without one.

And they added this comment, clearly implying the victim was at fault.

“We want to remind the public that cyclists must follow the same rules as motorists,” said Cpt. Monteagudo with CHP. “By obeying traffic laws and staying alert, cyclists can protect themselves and others, reducing the risk of serious crashes. Safety on our roads is everyone’s responsibility; let’s ride smart and share the road safely.”

However, there’s no word on where either party was positioned in the intersection.

It’s possible that the driver could have been turning left onto Blossom Valley from southbound Quail Canyon, or she could have been headed south on Blossom Valley and either gone straight, or turned right onto Quail Canyon.

Or she could have been traveling north on Blossom Valley, and somehow rear-ended the victim.

According to the CHP, the driver, who suffered minor injuries in the collision, was not under the influence at the time of the crash.

There’s also no word on whether the victim might have drifted into the traffic lane or turned left onto Quail Canyon in front of the driver. Or he could have been riding against traffic on the wrong side of the roadway.

Which is exactly the problem.

We have no way of knowing what actually happened, or who may have been at fault for this crash.

But that doesn’t seem to keep the CHP from pointing the finger.

(The San Diego Union-Tribune also reported on this story, which could explain more. But their story is hidden behind a paywall for subscribers only.)

This is at least the 47th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 11th that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones. 

Thanks to BikinginLA sponsor Richard Duquette for the heads-up. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: 35-year old man riding a bicycle killed by Lemon Grove driver Sunday, no word on how the crash happened

October 7, 2025 / / 5 comments

This is getting very old.

Because for the eighth time in the last 30 days, someone has been killed riding a bicycle in Southern California.

This time in Lemon Grove.

According to a press release from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the victim was struck by the driver of a Chevy Silverado pickup on the 8500 block of Troy Street a little before 9:30 Sunday night.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was lying in the eastbound lanes of Troy, just east of the intersection with Camino De Las Palmas, when deputies arrived.

They were treated at the scene before being taken to a local hospital, where the victim died just before 10:30 pm.

There’s no word at this time how the crash occurred. However, the driver remained at the scene, and deputies don’t suspect them of DUI or reckless driving.

Which would seem to suggest they blame the victim, even though they say the crash is still under investigation.

Or maybe it was just another “oopsie.”

There is a bike lane in both directions on Troy Street, with the three-way intersection controlled only by a stop sign on Camino De Las Palmas. The position of the victim just east of Camino De Las Palmas implies the crash may have occurred either at or shortly after the intersection.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Lemon Grove Substation of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department at 619/337-2000.

This is at least the 46th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the tenth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: The victim has been identified as 35-year old San Diego resident Marco Quintero. He died shortly after being taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Marco Quintero and his loved ones. 

 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Man riding bicycle killed Thursday in Koreatown hit-and-run; drivers fled in one third of all SoCal bike deaths this year

September 27, 2025 / / No comments

For once, police in Los Angeles didn’t wait to ask for our help.

According to a tweet/X post from the LAPD, the department is asking for the public’s help in finding a hit-and-run driver who killed a man riding a bicycle Koreatown Thursday afternoon.

The victim, identified only as a man in his late 60s, was riding south on Harvard Boulevard when he was run down from behind as he approached 11th Street around 12:30 pm.

He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

My News LA describes him a man in his late 60s.

The driver kept going without stopping, and was last seen driving south on Harvard. Police described the suspect vehicle as a dark green Chevy Silverado pickup truck, no model year given.

Anyone with information is urged to call LAPD West Traffic Division detectives at 213/473-0234. As always, there is a standing $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the driver in any fatal hit-and-run in Los Angeles.

This is at least the 45th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 15th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; this was also the eighth we’ve learned about in the City of LA.

Drivers have fled the scene in 15 of those fatal bicycling crashes in Southern California since the first of the year, a pace of one out of every three fleeing the scene.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones. 

 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , ,

Man riding bike killed by semi-truck driver in Oxnard collision Thursday morning

September 25, 2025 / / 7 comments

A man was killed when he was run down from behind while riding a bicycle in Oxnard Thursday morning.

According to the Ventura County Star, the victim was riding north Vineyard Ave when he was struck by northbound semi-truck driver. The paper places the collision in the city’s Del Rio neighborhood, just north of Simon Way on Vineyard shortly after 10 am.

There’s no identity for the victim or the driver at this time. There’s also no word on why the driver apparently didn’t see someone riding a bicycle directly in front of him in broad daylight.

The victim was taken to the Ventura County Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

The driver remained at the scene and assisted the fallen bike rider.

Anyone with information is urged to call Oxnard Police Corporal Manuel Perez at 805/385-7750, or email manuel.perez@oxnardpd.org.

This is at least the 44th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third that I’m aware of in Ventura County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.

Read the story on Yahoo if the paper blocks you. 

 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: 53-year old Micah Pan killed riding bicycle in Chino hit-and-run Saturday; 28-year old Chino woman arrested

September 22, 2025 / / No comments

Somehow, I missed this one.

According to multiple sources, a man riding a bicycle was killed by a heartless hit-and-run driver in Chino Saturday evening.

The victim, identified as 53-year old Chino Hills resident Micah Pan, was riding on the 5200 block of Eucalyptus Ave around 6:35 pm when he was struck by the motorist, who drove away leaving him lying in the street.

Pan was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

Police arrested 28-year old Chino resident Jazmine Carreto on suspicion of hit-and-run causing injury, which is likely to be increased to hit-and-run causing death when she is arraigned.

There’s no word at this time on how the crash happened, or how police identified Carreto as the suspect.

There are narrow painted bike lanes in both direction on Eucalyptus; however, it’s the sort of perfectly straight four lane street, with a center turn lane, that is likely to encourage speeding.

Anyone with information is urged to call Chino police investigators at 909/334-3116.

This is at least the 43rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.

Pan is also the 14th bike rider killed by a hit-and-run driver in Southern California since the first of the year, meaning one out of every three drivers who kill bike riders in SoCal flee the scene.

Update: A Chino paper describes Pan as a local optometrist and a longtime resident; he’s survived by his wife Linda, as well as 18-year-old son Jacob and 16-year-old daughter Jane. 

According to the Chino Valley Champion, 

His patients remember him as a family man dedicated to his wife and children who was kind, professional and had a positive impact on those around him.

The driver, Jazmine Carreto, was arrested in Upland about five hours after the crash, and released on bail Sunday evening; no court date has been scheduled yet. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Micah Pan and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , ,

Update: One person killed and 2nd injured when two bike riders collided on San Diego’s Lake Murray Bike Path Friday morning

September 19, 2025 / / 3 comments

Sometimes the danger doesn’t come from drivers.

Or even on the roadway.

That was the case in San Diego Friday, when one person was killed and another injured riding on the bike path at the city’s Lake Murray around 7:25 am.

According to multiple sources, the two bicyclists collided head-on while reportedly exceeding the posted 10 mph speed limit.

One victim died at the scene, while the other was hospitalized.

There’s no word on exactly where on the trail around Lake Murray that the crash occurred, but people who know the trail say there are a number of blind curves where you wouldn’t see someone coming from the opposite direction.

There’s also no information yet on the identity of either victim, or the condition of the survivor.

This is at least the 42nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: The victim has been identified as 68-year old El Cajon resident David Engler.

Authorities say he was not wearing a helmet, but while the medical examiner’s report says he died of blunt force trauma, it does not indicate whether he suffered a head injury. 

The other victim was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for David Engler and his loved one.

And best wishes for a full and fast recovery for the surviving victim. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , ,

Someone riding bicycle killed by alleged DUI hit-and-run driver in Carlsbad crash early Saturday morning

September 13, 2025 / / One comment

Someone riding a bicycle was killed in a pre-dawn crash in Carlsbad Saturday.

And while we don’t know anything about the victim, we do have an ID on the alleged drunken coward accused of killing them.

According to multiple reports, the victim was struck by the driver while riding on the 4400 block Carlsbad Blvd, between Tamarack Ave and Cannon Road, around 4:34 am Saturday.

The victim was already dead when police arrived; there’s no word at this time on how the crash occurred.

The driver, identified as 27-year old Escondido resident Alexander Gendron, was tracked down about a mile away, with police relying on witnesses, license plate readers and a drone to find him.

He was booked on suspicion of leaving the scene of a collision resulting in injury or death, DUI causing injury or death, and vehicular manslaughter. That could be upgraded to murder if there is a previous DUI on his record.

There is a painted bike lane on both sides of Carlsbad Blvd, which runs north and south along the beach.

Given the hour, the victim could have been homeless, or someone riding to or from work. Or it could have been someone just out for an early morning ride.

Anyone with information is urged to call Traffic Accident Investigator Cpl. Matt Bowen of the Carlsbad Police Department at 442/339-2282.

This is at least the 41st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

This was also the 13th bike rider killed by a hit-and-run driver in Southern California since the first of the year

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and all their loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,
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