Archive for Bicycle Safety

50-year old man killed in apparent mountain biking fall in San Diego’s Mission Trails Regional Park

May 20, 2025 / / No comments

Tragic news from San Diego, where a 50-year old man died after apparently falling on a mountain bike trail in Mission Trails Regional Park.

According to San Diego’s 10 News, the victim, who hasn’t been publicly named, was discovered by a married couple lying badly injured near the Mission Trails Rim Trailhead around 6:32 pm Monday.

He was bleeding from the nose and mouth when the woman, identified as Claire Viriyavong, moved his hand to perform CPR.

But despite their efforts, and the efforts of first responders, he was declared dead before being moved from the trail.

He was found near a rock, and an SDFD battalion chief said he appeared to have landed face down, suffered traumatic injuries despite wearing a helmet and other protective gear.

Which is yet another sad reminder that nothing offers complete protection.

This is at least the 15th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

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

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

Man riding bicycle killed in collision Friday in Baldwin Park industrial area; just the 3rd bike death reported in LA County this year

May 17, 2025 / / No comments

A man riding a bicycle was killed in Baldwin Park Friday morning.

Something we might not know about if it wasn’t for a single report from a local news source.

Which is one more than we usually get these days, unfortunately.

According to Baldwin Park News, the victim, identified only as a man in his 50s, was struck by a driver at Live Oak and Stewart avenues in Baldwin Park around 4:56 pm.

Despite the efforts of police and paramedics, he died at the scene.

The driver stayed at the scene, and police don’t suspect they were under the influence. Which isn’t surprising given the hour and industrial area surrounding the crash site.

There’s no word yet on how the crash occurred, or whether the victim had lights on his bike more than an hour before sunrise.

This was at least the 14th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and just the third that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

Which either means this is the county’s best year on record, or there are a lot of crashes we’re just not hearing about.

I’d put my money on the latter.

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

Thanks to dangheck.bsky.social for the heads-up. And thanks to Baldwin Park News for reporting and staying on top of this story.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

Bike rider killed in South LA hit-and-run last month; LAPD just now bothering to tell us and ask for our help

May 8, 2025 / / No comments

Once again, someone riding a bicycle was killed by a hit-and-run driver weeks ago.

Yet somehow, we’re only learning about it now.

The LAPD is just now getting around to asking for the public’s help in finding the driver, nearly three weeks later.

The victim, who still has not been publicly identified, was riding their bike north on Central Avenue near 120th Street in South LA around 10 pm on Sunday, April 20th, when they were run down from behind by a speeding driver.

The victim died after being rushed to the hospital.

And that’s all we know.

There’s no description of the suspect vehicle or the driver, or not even the age or sex of the victim. We don’t even know whether the victim has been identified, and if so, why the identification is being withheld.

Which gives us absolutely nothing to go on, other than the time and location, after the police inexplicably waited to release any information until the trail was so cold you could almost see your breath.

And didn’t bother to use the hit-and-run alert systems approved by the city and state a decade ago to try to reduce the epidemic of fleeing drivers.

It also raises the question of how many other people have been killed riding a bicycle — or walking or driving — that they haven’t bothered to tell us about.

And just who decided to keep us in the dark, and why.

Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD’s South Traffic Division at 213/677-9791, or 877/527-3247 evening or weekends.

As always, there is a $50,000 reward for any fatal hit-and-run in the City of Los Angeles. Although it’s unlikely anyone will collect, given the dearth of information and such an extensive delay in asking for the public’s health.

This was at least the 13th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and just the second that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County. And it’s the first we know of in the City LA, which seems highly unlikely this far into the year.

This is also the fourth SoCal bike rider killed by a hit-and-run driver since the first of the year.

Someone needs to investigate this crap to find out what the hell is going on here.

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

14-year old boy killed in apparent solo ebike crash in Chino Hills, another teen sharing bike suffered minor injuries

April 10, 2025 / / No comments

A teenaged boy was killed in what appears to be a solo ebike crash in Chino Hills Saturday evening, while another suffered minor injuries.

According to a Nixle alert from the San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner, the kids, who have not been publicly identified, apparently crashed the electric bicycle they were sharing around 5:25 pm at Rock Springs Drive and Oakland Way.

The crash scene appears to be just past a curve at the base of a hill, on a residential street with bike lanes on either side.

A 14-year old boy died after being taken to Pomona Valley Medical Center. The other person, identified only as a juvenile, was treated at the scene and released.

The brief report says neither kid was wearing a bike helmet, even though that’s required for anyone under 18 riding a bicycle in California, electric or otherwise. However, there’s no suggestion that either teen suffered a head injury.

And yes, the report clearly states they were on a bicycle, rather than some other type of ebike.

This was at least the 12th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the second that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.

At least four of those victims were riding ebikes.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Ebike rider killed by heartless hit-and-run driver in San Diego’s Claremont Mesa East neighborhood early Saturday

March 29, 2025 / / 2 comments

Once again, someone on a bicycle has been killed by a heartless hit-and-run driver.

This time in San Diego.

According to multiple, nearly identical stories, a 36-year old man was riding an ebike on the 6900 block of Balboa Ave, in the city’s Claremont Mesa East neighborhood, when he was struck by a driver around 1:30 am.

Police report the victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding in the westbound bike lane when he veered left for some unknown reason and was hit by the westbound motorist, who continued without stopping.

He died shortly after being taken to a local hospital.

Video from the scene shows damaged car parts and a Lectric ped-assist bicycle lying in the center of the three through traffic lanes.

The suspect vehicle is described as light-colored 2016-2022 Mercedes Benz E-Class sedan, possibly gray, with likely front-end damage including missing grill and other front-end body parts.

It’s not clear if there was a witness to the crash, or if investigators pieced events together from evidence found following the crash.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Traffic Division of the San Diego Police Department at 858/495-7800, or Crime Stoppers at 888/580-8477. 

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

This is also the fourth SoCal bike rider killed by a hit-and-run driver since the first of the year.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

34-year old Las Vegas man riding ebike dies days after Oceanside hit-and-run; driver left him for passerby to find

March 24, 2025 / / 3 comments

A Las Vegas man has died, three days after a hit-and-run driver left him alone and bleeding on the side of the road.

According to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office, a passerby found 34-year old Jonathan Joseph Akahito Lupola lying near his ebike on the 3100 block of Oceanside Blvd in Oceanside, on Saturday, March 15th, suffering from multiple major injuries.

Despite the efforts of first responders and medical personnel, Lupola’s condition continued to decline, and he was disconnected from life support on Tuesday, March 18th, with his wife at his side, and his organs donated.

There’s no description of the suspect vehicle at this time; a crowdfunding page put up by Lupola’s aunt says the driver was doing an estimated 65 mph in a 35 mph zone.

Although you’d think a crash at that speed would have left debris that could identify the vehicle, unless the driver stopped to pick it up.

The crowdfunding campaign has raised a little over $1,400 of the modest $2,000 goal to transport his body and pay funeral expenses. Lupito’s aunt is also donating proceeds from her food truck in Hawaii.

Note: A comment below from a man identifying himself as Lupito’s uncle says the crowdfunding campaign was not authorized by his family. So maybe hold off donating until I learn more. 

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

Lupito was also the third SoCal bike rider killed by a hit-and-run driver since the first of the year.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Jonathan Joseph Akahito Lupola and his loved ones.

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

Man riding bicycle killed by minivan driver in Victorville crash Tuesday night

March 12, 2025 / / Comments Off on Man riding bicycle killed by minivan driver in Victorville crash Tuesday night

It’s been a rough week for bike riders in the Inland Empire.

Just days after a man was killed riding a bicycle in Cabazon, another man was killed by a driver in Victorville Tuesday night.

According to the Victorville News Group, the victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, was crossing Highway 395 near Luna Road when he was struck by the driver of a minivan around 8:56 pm.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, next to his mangled bike.

A photo of the minivan suggests the victim was struck at a high rate of speed, with significant damage to the front end and windshield. A street view suggests the driver was probably traveling at highway speed.

And yes, the driver remained at the scene.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Victorville Police Department at 760/241-2911.

This was at least the ninth bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

Heartless hit-and-run driver ran down 59-year old bike rider in Cabazon early Sunday morning, leaving him to die

March 10, 2025 / / Comments Off on Heartless hit-and-run driver ran down 59-year old bike rider in Cabazon early Sunday morning, leaving him to die

Once again, someone on a bicycle has been left to die by a heartless hit-and-run driver.

This time, early Sunday in Cabazon.

According to the Coachella Valley’s News Channel 3, 59-year old Whittier resident Steve De Leon was riding east on Seminole Drive, near Millard Pass Road, when he was run down from behind sometime before 1:25 am.

Friends urged anyone who saw the crash to come forward, as the CHP reported there were no known witnesses to the crash, forcing them to rely on physical evidence, if any.

Anyone with information is urged to call CHP-San Gorgonio at 1-951/846-5300.

De Leon was described as friendly to everyone in the Coachella Valley.

However, the TV station continued by citing nonspecific statistics on ebike crashes, without suggesting De Leon was even riding one. And offered information on upcoming safety improvements in Cathedral City, which is roughly 25 miles from where the crash occurred.

Absolutely none of which appears to be relevant to the crash that killed De Leon, or the coward who left him there on the street. Whether his life could have been saved if the driver had stopped to render aid or call for help, as is legally required, we may never know.

This was at least the eighth bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third that I’m aware of already this year in Riverside County.

It also appears to be the second time a SoCal bike rider has been killed by a hit-and-run driver

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Steve De Leon and all his family and loved ones.

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

Update: Road cyclist killed on PCH near Thornhill Broome Beach in Ventura County, another victim of SoCal’s killer highway

February 22, 2025 / / 5 comments

Southern California’s deadliest roadway has claimed another life.

This time in Ventura County. And once again, the victim appears to be a road cyclist.

According to the Ventura County Star, the victim was struck by a motorist while riding in the northbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway shortly before 11:15 this morning.

They place the crash in Ventura County near the sand dunes south of Thornhill Broome Beach, about 2.4 miles south of Mugu Rock.

Meanwhile, KVTA 1590 places the collision on PCH north of Sycamore Canyon Road at 11:13 am.

The station reports the victim was leading a group of eight other bicyclists on the shoulder of the highway when the rider allegedly made an abrupt turn into the northbound traffic lane, and was hit by a driver traveling at 55 mph.

Ventura County firefighters said someone was performing CPR on the victim when they arrived. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and additional units were called off.

There’s no information yet on the identity of the victim or the driver. And no word on why the victim may have swerved into the traffic lane, or what group the riders may have been associated with, if any.

Despite recent efforts to improve safety, too many people have died, and continue to die, on PCH as a result of traffic violence. And too many of those have been riding bicycles.

This was at least the seventh bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first that I’m aware of in Ventura County.

Update: The victim has been identified only as a 66-year old Los Angeles man, though he has still not been publicly named, while the driver was a 37-year old woman from Malibu, also unnamed.

Update 2: The victim has been identified as 66-year old Los Angeles resident John C. McLaughlin. A comment from Damian Kevitt below says McLaughlin was on a training ride with LA Tri Club when he was killed.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for John C. McLaughlin and all his loved ones.

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

45-year old bike rider Marcos Perez Domingo died two days after Encinitas collision on New Years Day

February 15, 2025 / / Comments Off on 45-year old bike rider Marcos Perez Domingo died two days after Encinitas collision on New Years Day

As long as we’re doing this tonight, we can add another name to the list.

About a few days ago, I learned that a man had died after he was hit by a driver while riding a bicycle in Encinitas.

According to The Coast News, 45-year old Encinitas resident Marcos Perez Domingo was struck while riding at Encinitas Blvd and Valley Park Way around 6 pm on January 1st.

That address doesn’t seem to exist, however, they may mean Encinitas Blvd and Village Park Way.

Domingo died two days later after being taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to learn any more the crash. And no, I don’t know why the news of Domingo’s death didn’t surface earlier.

This was at least the sixth bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Marcos Perez Domingo and all his loved ones. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,
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