Paramedics responding to the 2600 block of North Commonwealth attempted to revive him, providing “intensive, advanced life-saving care.” But he was already beyond medical help and died at the scene.
The victim was identified only as a man around 50 years old.
One way or the other, it’s tragic news, whether or not he was riding a bike.
Too often, we may not learn about the things that happen on our streets until weeks later, if at all.
That’s what happened in this case, when a man riding a bike was left to die by a heartless coward in LA’s South Park neighborhood over a month ago.
And we only learned about it today.
According to a press release from the LAPD, a 23-year old man was riding west on 43rd Street at Main Street around 10:40 pm on Thursday, April 13th, when he was run down by a driver headed south on Main.
The driver fled south on Main without stopping, leaving the victim, identified as Iomer Samuel Cruz, fatally injured in the street.
There’s no description of the suspect; police are looking for a silver 2008-2013 Mercedes Benz C230 or C330.
Anyone with information is urged to call LAPD Central Traffic Division Officer Balderas or Detective Campos at 213/833-3713; after hours or on weekends call the Central Traffic Division’s Watch Commander at 213/833-3746.
As always, there is a standing $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver.
You can find security cam video of the crash here. I’m not posting it because it shows the actual impact, so be sure you really want to see it before you click on the link.
This is at least the 18th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the seventh that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; just three of those have been in the City of Los Angeles.
It’s also the seventh fatal hit-and-run involving a SoCal bike rider this year.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Iomer Samuel Cruz and all his loved ones.
Sad news from Palm Springs, where a San Diego father died from heatstroke earlier this month after mountain biking outside the city.
According to San Diego’s 10 News, Paul Fox, a 53-year old father of three from the city’s Del Cero neighborhood, met a friend at the Palm Canyon Epic Trail south of Palm Springs in late April for what was planned as a three-hour ride.
However, despite GPS, they took a wrong turn somewhere along the trail, and ran out of water as three hours turned into six in temperatures up to 105°F.
Fox reportedly stopped suddenly and stepped off his bike acting dazed and confused, before collapsing and rolling down a hill.
He died in the hospital May 9th from complications due to heatstroke.
Fox, who a friend described as kind, funny and brilliant, worked as a computer network security specialist, including a four-year stint at the White House in the mid-2000s.
The victim died at the scene, despite the efforts of paramedics, and has not been publicly identified.
An anonymous caller alerted the police to the location of the driver’s car, a black late model Nissan SUV, less than a block away in an underground parking garage in the 14100 block of Cerise Avenue.
A street view shows a large apartment complex at that location, suggesting the 21-year old driver, who also has not been publicly identified, may have been arrested at his home, or visiting another person.
Someone was killed riding a bike somewhere near Gorman Wednesday night.
Or maybe not.
According to My News LA, the CHP responded after the victim was struck around 11:06 pm Wednesday, finding the victim’s body lying on side of the roadway.
Struck by what is unclear, though, since there’s no mention of a driver. Or even a motor vehicle.
We also don’t know if the driver stuck around or fled the scene, nor is there any description of the victim.
The site places the crash on the northbound Antelope Valley Freeway (CA 14) and West Avenue C. However, the Antelope Valley Freeway goes nowhere near Gorman, which is around 40 miles west on the 5 Freeway.
There also does not appear to be a West Avenue C anywhere near Gorman, though there is a W Ave C 14 in Lancaster. But it doesn’t appear to intersect with the Antelope Valley Freeway.
Hopefully someone will clarify things soon.
This is, presumably, at least the 15th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.
The man, identified as 73-year old Marietta resident Josef Pinter, slammed into the back of the stopped SUV. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the local police, it wasn’t clear if the driver’s brake lights were on or if she had turned on her flashers, and Pinter may not have seen her stopped in front of him.
There’s also no word on whether she even had her lights on in the growing evening darkness, or if Pinter had a light on his bike that could have illuminated the vehicle.
Remarkably, Orange County went nearly three months without a bicycling death, ever since Dr. Michael Mammone was murdered by a man reportedly suffering from mental illness February 1st.
Sadly, that ended on Saturday night, when a man was killed riding his bike in Orange.
The driver, identified only as a man from Yorba Linda, remained after the collision. Police don’t believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
Raw video from the scene shows a flat handlebar bike next to the victim’s tarp-covered body, with a baseball cap and a carton of milk lying in the street nearby.
However, I can’t recommend watching it, but I am including the link so you can use your own judgement.
Anyone with information is urged to call Orange Police Det. Rocha at 714/744-7342.
This is at least the 14th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third that I’m aware of in Orange County.
Hopefully we can go at least another two months before we have another one.
There’s no word yet on the identity of the victim, or how the crash occurred.
The only description of the suspect vehicle is a possible GMC truck, no year or model given. And no word on the heartless coward behind the wheel, who left an innocent victim to die alone in the street.
Anyone with information is urged to call 877-LAPD-247, 877/527-3247.
This is at least the 13th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; it also appears to be the second in the City of Los Angeles.
Five of those deaths have been hit-and-runs.
Yet no one in any level of government seems concerned about the mounting toll from hit-and-run drivers, or the increasing frequency of drivers fleeing crash scenes.
Let alone willing to do anything about it.
Update: The LAPD has released security video of Friday morning’s fatal crash.
The bike rider, who still has not been publicly identified, was the victim of a left-cross crash from the truck driver turning from Lankershim onto Tuxford while riding in the crosswalk on Tuxford.
Police are looking for a work truck with a white cab, and a distinctive yellow logo on the passenger door.
As always, there is a $50,000 reward for any fatal hit-and-run in the City of Los Angeles.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and all his loved ones.
Thanks to Johnson Attorneys Group and KCAL-9 anchor Jeff Vaughn for the heads-up.
The victim was identified only as a man who appeared to be in his 50s.
The driver, a 52-year old Oceanside resident, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter after apparently failing a field sobriety test, and admitting that he was using heroin.
That could be escalated to murder if it turns out this wasn’t his first DUI offense.
There’s no word on how the crash occurred, but it seems likely the driver struck the victim while either entering or exiting the mobile home park.
San Diego’s Fox5 reported on the crash as well, but seemed more concerned about the effect on traffic from the street closure than the needless death of a human being.
This is at least the 11th 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 the victim and all his loved ones.
There’s no information at this time about the victim, or how the crash occurred. Police are still unsure if either the driver or victim were under the influence.
