Archive for Injuries and Fatalities

31-year old Oceanside man killed by driver in Tuesday collision; no word on whether the driver even stayed after the crash

September 11, 2026 / / No comments

Yet another person has been killed because he decided to ride a bicycle.

The victim, identified as 31-year old Oceanside resident Christian Anthony Fa’amaligi, was killed riding his bike in Oceanside earlier this week.

Fa’amaligi was riding on Mission Ave near Ocean Point Road around 7:45 pm Tuesday when he was struck by a driver. He was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, where he was pronounced dead early Wednesday.

Unfortunately, that’s all we know at this time. There’s no word on how the crash occurred, or who may have been responsible.

We don’t even know if the driver stuck around after the crash.

The area’s paper of record, the San Diego Union-Tribune, couldn’t be bothered to give the story more than three sentences. Or even spell the victim’s name accurately, for that matter.

Meanwhile, Fa’amaligi’s sister provided a moving remembrance on Facebook Thursday.

This is at least the 44th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the ninth we know about in San Diego County, which is continuing a one a month pace.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Christian Anthony Fa’amaligi and all his family and loved ones. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: 72-year old man riding bicycle killed by driver in Santa Ana Friday as cops watched, 5th fatal Santa Ana bike crash in 4 months

September 6, 2026 / / 2 comments

A 72-year old man was killed riding a bicycle in Santa Ana on Friday. And this time, the cops didn’t just respond to the crash.

They watched it.

According to KTLA-5, the only source that appears to have covered the crash so far, the victim had just begun riding west on McFadden Ave from Fairview Street a little before 7 pm when he was rear-ended by a driver traveling in the same direction.

The police immediately responded after witnessing the crash and began life saving efforts. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver remained following the collision and cooperated with investigators, and they did not appear to be under the influence. Neither the driver nor the victim have been publicly identified.

It’s not clear from the story whether the victim had turned onto McFadden from Fairview, or was continuing straight on Fairview. And even though the police saw the crash as it happened, the driver was not cited or arrested following the crash.

The intersection is controlled by a four-way traffic signal, but there are no bike lanes on McFadden, and the street has a 40 mph speed limit. If the driver was traveling at that speed, there is a 50% chance of fatality according to AAA, though the risk is significantly higher for someone of the victim’s age.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Santa Ana Police Officer J. Hernandez at 714/245- 8217, or the Traffic Division of the Santa Ana Police Department at 714/245-8200.

This is at least the 43rd bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the seventh we know about in Orange County. It’s also the fifth fatal bicycling crash in Santa Ana in less than four months.

Something that suggests the city has a significant safety problem on its streets.

Update: The victim has been identified as Robert Fore, a 72-year old grandfather. 

A crowdfunding campaign to help pay his funeral expenses has raised nearly $5,000 of the modest $6,500 goal. 

According Fore’s daughter, 

Dad spent a good amount of his life helping people with mental health, and he was an amazing person.

This loss has affected me deeply. I miss my dad so much and wish I could spend more time with him and see him again. My daughter has been having a very difficult time with losing her grandpa, and this has been a painful loss for both of us. Everything has fallen on me, and I cannot do this by myself.

I am asking for help because I cannot afford the cost of the services on my own. The funds raised will go toward the mortuary costs, funeral costs, and service expenses, as well as cremation or burial depending on what I am able to afford with the support we receive. I want to give my dad a beautiful service and honor his life with the care and dignity he deserves.

William writes to say riding west on McFadden at sunset is dangerous, because the sun gets in the eyes of drivers, and the same with riding east at sunrise. 

He also suggests riding with a bright tail light, or moving over a block to a quieter street. 

Anyone with information is urged to call Santa Ana Police Officer J. Hernandez at 714/245- 8217 or Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at 714/245-8200.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Robert Fore and his loved ones. 

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

Update: Woman riding bicycle killed by alleged DUI, hit-and-run driver in West Covina early Saturday; 28% of SoCal bike deaths hit-and-runs

September 1, 2026 / / No comments

Another day, another person riding a bicycle killed on the mean streets of Southern California.

This time in West Covina.

KTLA-5 is reporting that a woman — or a “family cyclist,” whatever that means — was struck and killed around 4:47 am Saturday morning near Amar Road and Leanna Drive.

The victim, publicly identified only as “her,” died at the scene. As in “the victim’s identity will be released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner after her family is notified.”

The driver fled the scene, apparently on foot. Investigators somehow identified the suspect as 40-year old Walnut resident Daniel Chavarin, who was arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, and driving under the influence.

Anyone with information is urged to call the West Covina Police Department at 626/939-8688 or LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800/222-8477.

Unfortunately, KTLA is the only source reporting on the crime so far, and that’s all the information we have at this time.

There’s no word on how the crash occurred, how police identified and located the driver, what Chavarin is suspected of being under the influence of, or why the victim was identified as a “family cyclist,” a term I have never encountered before.

So we’re left with a number of questions, which will hopefully be answered in the coming days.

Hopefully.

This is at least the 42nd bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the 14th we know about in Los Angeles County. At least 12 of those SoCal deaths, or 28%, have been hit-and-runs.

Update: The victim has been identified as 36-year old Ashley Kilbourne, no city of residence given, and no explanation for why she was initially described as a “family cyclist.”

According to SGV City Watch, Daniel Chavarin is currently. being held in lieu of $100,000 bond, with his first scheduled court appearance scheduled for tomorrow in West Covina Superior Court.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Ashley Kilbourne and her loved ones. 

Thanks to injury attorney James Johnson for the heads-up. 

 

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

Ebike rider killed by driver in Vista after allegedly riding through red light Saturday afternoon

August 31, 2026 / / No comments

This is not the news we wanted to start the week with.

Or end the last week with, for that matter.

Multiple sources are reporting that an ebike rider was killed in Vista Saturday afternoon. And this time, it looks like the victim on an actual ped-assist bicycle.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the victim was approaching the intersection of South Melrose Drive on Breeze Hill Road around 3:38 pm when he reportedly ran the red light at South Melrose, and was struck by a driver traveling north on Melrose.

The victim, identified only as a 26-year old man, died after being taken to a local hospital.

The driver, who was not identified, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators; authorities did not suspect they were under the influence.

Video from the scene shows the mangled bike lying in the street, with a relatively narrow ebike frame and operable pedals clearly visible

As always, whether the victim actually ran the red light depends on whether there were any independent witnesses or video of the crash, or if investigators relied solely on the word of the driver. And we have no way of knowing for sure that the victim was riding a legal Class 1, 2 or 3 ped-assist bike.

But it serves as a reminder to stop for red lights, no matter what kind of bike you’re riding — especially with cross traffic. And never ride beyond your ability to safely stop in an emergency.

More than one of the stories mentioned that it was not known if the victim was wearing a helmet, which one matters if the victim died of a head injury, or if his other injuries may have been survivable, with or without one. Something that neither we nor they have any way of knowing at this time.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

 

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