Archive for Bicycle Safety

Victim blamed when San Diego bike rider killed by big rig driver in Otay Mesa right hook; 3rd SoCal bicycling death this week

August 13, 2026 / / One comment

Evidently, big rig trucks don’t have wing mirrors anymore.

Because for the third time this week, someone in Southern California has been killed riding a bicycle. And it’s only Wednesday.

And this time, the victim is getting the blame.

According to San Diego’s City News Service, posted by 10 News, the victim “rode his bicycle into a big rig” after getting right hooked by the driver in the city’s Otay Mesa neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.

The victim was riding south on Otay Center Drive next to a semi-truck stopped at the red light at Siempre Viva Road around 2:17 pm. When the light turned green, the 38-year old driver turned right onto Siempre Viva, while the victim — identified only as a 59-year old man — attempted to continue straight on Otay Center.

So if the victim rode into the big rig, it’s only because the driver turned right directly in from of him, causing him to crash into the truck’s right front wheel. Which means he had to be directly next to the truck at the red light, and should have been visible to the driver.

Not “traveling behind the truck,” as FOX5 reports. If that was the case, it’s more likely he would been run over by the rear of the truck as it turned.

Not surprisingly, the victim was declared dead at the scene.

Unfortunately, there’s no bike lane or other infrastructure on the street that might have protected the victim, or at least alerted the driver to look for someone on a bike.

Most cars these days have safety systems to alert the driver to the presence of another vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian. Even my wife’s car, which does not have automatic braking or other alert systems, has a camera that’s activated whenever she uses the right turn signal, to alert her when there’s someone or something to her right before she turns.

Why one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road wouldn’t have something like that is anyone’s guess.

And yes, it’s dangerous to ride alongside any big rig, and you should never come up from behind as a truck is turning, or likely to.

But it’s hard to imagine why the victim shouldn’t have been visible in the driver’s wing mirror, or how he could have run into the truck’s front wheel if he ridden up from behind as the driver was turning.

It’s easy to imagine, though, that only one person involved in the crash was still around afterward to give their side of the story to the cops.

This is at least the 40th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the seventh we know about in San Diego County.

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

 

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

Ebike rider killed by driver in Santa Ana Tuesday evening; 4th fatal bicycling crash in Santa Ana in 3 months

August 12, 2026 / / 2 comments

Another day, another person on an ebike struck by a driver in Santa Ana.

Monday, a man barely survived a violent hit-and-run caught on security cam. Tuesday, the victim didn’t. But at least this time, the driver stuck around.

According to KCBS-2, the victim of Tuesday’s crash was riding near the intersection of N. Santiago Street and Santa Ana Blvd when he was struck by the driver around 6 pm.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he died. At this time, he hasn’t been publicly identified.

However, KNBC-4 oddly places the time of the crash as sometime “before 7:50 pm.”

Unfortunately, there’s no additional information at this time, other than the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

However, since the cops and the media seem incapable of telling an e-bicycle from an e-motorbike, it’s up to us to suss out what the victim was actually riding.

In this case, video from the scene appears to show a crumpled bicycle frame, rather than a heavier e-moto. Although “appears” seems to be the key word here.

This crash was less than five miles from the site of Monday’s hit-and-run, in which the victim appeared to do everything right.

This is at least the 39th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the sixth we know about in Orange County. It’s also the fourth fatal bicycling crash in Santa Ana in three months.

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

 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Man riding bicycle killed on the 710 Freeway in East Los Angeles early Monday morning

August 11, 2026 / / No comments

Once again, someone riding a bicycle has been killed on a Southern California highway.

And once again, we have almost no information to go on. But after waiting all day Monday for more information, we’ll have to go with what we’ve got.

According to The Eastsider and My News LA, a man was killed when he was struck by a driver on the 710 Freeway in East Los Angeles.

Yes, on a busy freeway where bicycles aren’t allowed under any circumstances.

The victim was riding his bike on the southbound Long Beach Freeway, otherwise known as the 710, just north of Floral Drive, when he was run down around 3:20 am.

He died at the scene. Which is not surprising, assuming he was struck at highway speeds.

The driver remained at the scene.

Unfortunately, that’s all we know right now. There’s no word on the identity of the victim, or why he was riding on the freeway. However, in virtually every other case where someone was killed while riding a bicycle on a freeway in the middle of the night, the victim turned out to be homeless.

Which should not lessen the tragedy in any way.

This is at least the 38th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the 13th we know about in Los Angeles County.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Man killed riding bicycle in Azusa Thursday morning; no word on how it happened or who else was involved

August 7, 2026 / / No comments

At least this time, there’s no question whether the victim was actually on a bicycle. Whether there was a driver involved, is another matter.

According to KTLA-5, which is currently the only source reporting on the crash, the victim was hit by “a vehicle” near Baseline Road and Fenimore Ave in Azusa shortly before 5:56 am Thursday morning.

The victim, identified only as a man, was taken to a local hospital suffering from major injuries, where he died.

There’s no word at this time whether the driver stayed at the scene, or fled. Or if there even was a driver, for that matter.

There’s also no word on how the crash happened, or what kind of vehicle was involved. It could have been an aircraft, for all we know.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Azusa Police Department’s Traffic Bureau at 626/812-3200.

This is the 37th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the 12th we know about in Los Angeles County.

Those numbers could be higher or lower, depending on how many of the people killed riding ebikes were actually on electric bicycles, or were riding e-motos or electric dirt bikes, since the police and media don’t seem to know the difference.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: Man killed riding bicycle in Long Beach hit-and-run early Monday, 3rd Long Beach bicycling death this year

July 6, 2026 / / No comments

For the third time this year, someone has been killed riding a bicycle in Long Beach.

According to a press release from the Long Beach Police Department, a man riding a bicycle was struck by a driver on Cowles Street near Santa Fe Ave around 2:38 Monday morning.

Police investigators concluded the victim, who has not been identified, was riding west on Cowles Street when he was apparently hit head-on by a driver turning east on Cowles from southbound Sante Fe.

He died at the scene, despite the effort of paramedics.

The driver fled in an unknown direction. There’s no description of the driver or the suspect vehicle at this time.

It’s not clear from the description whether the victim was riding on the wrong side of the roadway, or if the driver turned onto the wrong side. West Cowles is a relatively narrow, two lane street, so either one is possible.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Collision Investigation Detail of the Long Beach Police Department at 562/570-7355. Anonymous tips can be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800/222-TIPS (8477), or visiting the LA Crime Stoppers Website.

This is the 36th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the 11th we know about in Los Angeles County.

Which means that drivers have fled the scene in just under one third of those SoCal bicycling deaths, and just under a third have been in LA County.

And about three too many have been in Long Beach.

Update: The victim still has not be identified, but now we know he was in his 50s, anyway. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: 60-year old Irvine man killed in Santa Ana hit-and-run Thursday; 3rd fatal bicycling crash in Santa Ana in just 6 weeks

June 20, 2026 / / 6 comments

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.

 

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

Update: Two dead, one injured when alleged drunk driver plowed into three bicyclists on PCH north of Ventura; driver held for DUI and murder

June 13, 2026 / / Comments Off on Update: Two dead, one injured when alleged drunk driver plowed into three bicyclists on PCH north of Ventura; driver held for DUI and murder

Two people are dead, and another injured, just because some guy felt the need to get behind the wheel after drinking.

Allegedly.

According to reports from KTLA-5 and Ventura’s News Channel 12-3-11, three people were riding their bicycles north in the bike lane on PCH in Ventura County when a pickup driver plowed into them from behind at 50 to 55 mph.

A Facebook commenter said the posted speed limit in the area is 45 mph. According to AAA, the risk of death for a pedestrian at 42 mph is 50%, jumping to 75% at 50 mph, and 90% at 58 mph.

One of the victims died at the scene, while another died after being taken to Ventura County Medical Center; the third victim was transported to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.

The CHP places the crash around 7:08 pm Thursday, on PCH near Solimar Beach Road, just outside the City of Ventura.

A paywalled story from the Ventura County Star says a 33-year old woman from Bend, Oregon died at the scene, while a 39-year old Ventura man died at the hospital. The injured victim was identified only as a woman.

It’s not clear if they were riding together, or just had the misfortune of all being in the driver’s way. Several witnesses stopped to assist the victims before paramedics arrived.

It’s not known why the driver, identified only as a 24-year old Oxnard man, veered his pickup into the bike lane. He continued north until crashing into a guardrail, coming to rest on the right shoulder.

CHP investigators arrested the driver at the scene on suspicion of felony DUI causing injury, murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. He’s being held at the Ventura County jail in lieu of $1 million bail, and scheduled for a June 15th hearing in Ventura County Superior Court.

The murder charge suggests this may not be his first DUI offense.

Anyone with information is urged to call the CHP’s Ventura Area Office at 805/662-2640, and reference CAD Log 260611VT0384.

These are the 33rd and 34th bicycling fatalities that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the sixth and seventh we know about in Ventura County already this year.

Update: Ventura County’s Rolling Cerros Run Club identified the victims on Instagram as Kellie Standish and Colby Tucker. 

Other Instagram accounts remember two, while another video, which I can’t embed, shows the many signatures on their ghost bike, as well as their friends coming together; it sounds like their deaths are a real loss to the community. 

However, they still have not been officially identified by police, the medical examiner’s office or the media five days later. And there has been no public identification of the driver. 

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Update 2: A preliminary obituary for Colby Tucker has been posted online. A memorial for the 39-year old will be held in the Boston area on Tuesday, with a live link to posted online later; a celebration of life will be held in Ventura in the coming months. 

According to the obituary, 

Donations in celebration of Colby’s life may be made to organizations working to conserve places he loved: The Green Mountain Club, protecting the Long Trail in Vermont (donation page here), and The Nature Conservancy, protecting Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands off the coast of Ventura (memorial donation page here).  Livestream link to follow.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Kellie Standish and Colby Tucker, and all their loved ones.  

Thanks to David for the heads-up. 

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

53-year old man killed in Oxnard hit-and-run Saturday afternoon; third bicycling death in Oxnard this year, second by hit-and-run

May 31, 2026 / / Comments Off on 53-year old man killed in Oxnard hit-and-run Saturday afternoon; third bicycling death in Oxnard this year, second by hit-and-run

It’s been a bad year for bike riders in Ventura County.

And it’s just getting started.

According to KEYT-TV, a man was discovered lying on the side of the road on Fifth Street near Harbor Blvd in Oxnard shortly after 4 pm Saturday, suffering from severe injuries.

A paywalled story from the Ventura County Star reports his badly damaged bicycle was discovered nearby.

The victim, identified only as a 53-year old man, died at the scene.

Police determined that he had been riding east on Fifth when he was apparently rear-ended by a driver headed in the same direction, who fled the scene.

There’s no description of the driver or suspect vehicle at this time, and no word on which way they fled.

A street view shows bike lanes on Harbor, but nothing on Fifth.

Anyone with information is urged to call Officer Joseph Clarke at 805/385-7749, or email joseph.clarke@oxnardpd.org.

This is the 32nd bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the fifth we know about in Ventura County; three of those deaths have now occurred in Oxnard.

It was also the 9th fatal hit-and-run involving a bike rider in Southern California this year.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

55-year old ebike-rider Rey Flores dies 3 days after he was struck by a driver in Santa Ana; 2nd Santa Ana bike death this month

May 28, 2026 / / 3 comments

A Santa Ana man has died three days after he was struck by a driver while riding an ebike.

According to a press release from the Santa Ana Police Department, first responders found the victim lying in the street with “significant injuries” at Chestnut and Cypress avenues around 9:35 pm Saturday.

The victim, identified as 55-year old — or possibly 51-year old — Santa Ana resident Rey Flores, was taken to a hospital, where he died on Tuesday.

A preliminary investigation determined Flores was riding west on Chestnut, when he was hit by a driver headed south on Cypress.

A street view shows bike lanes on Cypress north of Chestnut, and on Chestnut east of Cypress, but not in the other two directions. That would have put Flores on the bike lane before he entered the intersection, which is controlled by four-way stop signs.

The driver remained at the scene and did not appear to be impaired.

However, the press release notes that detectives are determining whether Flores was under the influence — which suggests they may have some reason to believe he might have been at fault, or at least impaired.

The police say multiple times that Flores was riding an e-bicycle, suggesting it was a ped-assist bike, rather than an electric motorbike.

Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Corporal M. Pardo of the Santa Ana Police Department Collision Investigation Unit (CIU) at 714/45-8208, or the Santa Ana Police Department Traffic Division at 714/245-8200.

This is the 31st bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the fourth we know about in Orange County; Flores is also the second bike rider killed in Santa Ana this month.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Rey Flores and all his loved ones. 

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

Man riding bicycle killed in Santa Ana collision Sunday afternoon; cops blame victim for not riding in nonexistent crosswalk

May 11, 2026 / / 3 comments

You’ve got to be kidding.

Someone was killed riding a bicycle in Santa Ana early Sunday afternoon. And the local cops were quick to show they don’t seem to understand bike law.

According to multiple reports, the victim was struck by a driver traveling south on Fairview Street while crossing Fairview at 12th Street around 12:09 pm Sunday.

The victim, identified only as an adult male, died at the scene.

The driver remained following the crash, and did not appear to be under the influence.

However, for some reason, the press release issued by the Santa Ana Police Department stressed that the victim was crossing the street outside of a crosswalk. As if there was some super secret section of the law that requires, or even implies, that bicyclists are supposed to use a crosswalk.

There isn’t.

Bicycles are required to follow the same rules as motor vehicles. So until drivers are required to use the crosswalk, there can be no expectation that bike riders should, either.

And just like drivers, people on bicycles can cross or turn mid-block, or continue forward on a cross street.

However, unlike motor vehicles, bike riders are allowed to use a crosswalk, which is considered an extension of the sidewalk. Someone riding legally on a sidewalk can continued forward in the crosswalk, regardless of whether they are traveling with or against traffic.

It’s also worth noting that there is no crosswalk on Fairview at 12th, which would make using one rather difficult.

So whether or not the victim was in a crosswalk is totally irrelevant. Maybe someone could pass that on to the Santa Ana cops, who don’t seem to grasp that concept.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Detective K. Briley of the Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit at 714/245-8215, or the Santa Ana Police Traffic Division at 714/245-8200.

This is the 30th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the third we know about in Orange County.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,
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