Archive for Bicycle Safety

Bicyclist killed in Hawthorne hit-and-run, 21-year old driver arrested; 6th SoCal bike rider killed by hit-and-run drivers this year

April 29, 2023 / / One comment

Once again, a heartless coward has left an innocent victim riding a bicycle to die on a SoCal street.

CBS Los Angeles reports the victim was struck by a westbound driver on Rosecrans Ave at Cerise Ave around 8:45 Thursday night.

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.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Hawthorne Police Traffic Bureau at 310/349-2701.

This is at least the 16th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

It’s also the sixth fatal hit-and-run involving a SoCal bike rider this year.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: Bicyclist killed north of Lancaster Wednesday night

April 28, 2023 / / Comments Off on Update: Bicyclist killed north of Lancaster Wednesday night

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.

But even that is unclear right now.

Update: Now it makes a little more sense. 

The Antelope Valley Press reports the victim was killed on the Antelope Valley Freeway north of Lancaster. 

Not, as the earlier report indicate, near Gorman. Although I still can’t find the location on a map. 

And there’s still no word on how it happened, or whether the driver stuck around afterwards. 

 

 

 

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

73-year old Murrieta man killed when he crashed his bike into stopped SUV

April 26, 2023 / / Comments Off on 73-year old Murrieta man killed when he crashed his bike into stopped SUV

An elderly Murrieta man is dead, apparently because a driver may have neglected to put her flashers on.

NBC Palm Springs reports the victim was riding his bike north on Whitewood Road, just north of Poinsettia Street, around 7:50 pm Sunday evening when a woman driving an SUV pulled over to the side of the road to check on her child in the backseat.

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.

Anyone with information is urged to call Murrieta Police Investigator Kurt Stickelman at 951/461-6306, or email kstickelman@murrietaca.gov, or contact Sgt. Steve Whiddon at 951/461-6323, swhiddon@murrietaca.gov.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Man killed crossing street on bicycle in City of Orange crash Saturday; first OC bicycling death in nearly three months

April 25, 2023 / / Comments Off on Man killed crossing street on bicycle in City of Orange crash Saturday; first OC bicycling death in nearly three months

Nothing lasts forever.

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 victim was as apparently crossing Chapman Ave mid-block between Hamlin and Rancho Santiago Blvd when he was struck by an eastbound driver.

He died at the scene; he has been identified him only as a resident of 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.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

Update: Man riding bicycle killed in pre-dawn Sun Valley hit-and-run; 5th SoCal bicyclist killed by hit-and-run drivers this year

March 17, 2023 / / One comment

St. Patrick’s Day got off to a deadly start when a man on a bicycle was killed in Sun Valley this morning.

The driver fled the scene, in what almost seems to be a normal occurrence these days.

According to My News LA, the victim was riding on the 8400 block of Lankershim Boulevard when he was struck by the driver around 6:20 am.

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.

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

Man riding bicycle killed by Oceanside driver high on heroin; driver arrested for DUI and vehicular manslaughter

March 15, 2023 / / 4 comments

An Oceanside man is dead, just because he rode his bike on a street that should have been safe.

And had the misfortune of sharing the road with someone who decided to get behind the wheels while high on heroin — by his own admission.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the victim was riding on Douglas Drive near Madra Lane, either in the street or on the sidewalk, when he was struck by the driver just before 5 pm at the entrance to the Mission View mobile home parks.

He died at the scene.

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. 

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

Update: Man killed riding bike Monday in early morning Palm Springs collision

March 14, 2023 / / 5 comments

A man was killed riding his bike in Palm Springs early Monday morning.

And nearly 20 hours later, we still don’t know any more than we did before.

According to multiple reports, the victim was struck by a motorist around 4:45 am at Ramon Road and Compadre Road. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

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.

Video from the scene shows heavy damage to the center of the hood and windshield, suggesting the victim was struck directly with some force.

The driver was arrested on unrelated charges. He was not publicly identified.

The Palm Springs Post reports the victim was the fifth person killed riding a bike in the city in five years.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Traffic Division of the Palm Springs Police Department at 760/323-8125.

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

Update: The victim has been identified as 58-year old Palm Springs resident Nelson Esteban. 

Still no word on how the crash occurred, or why the driver was arrested. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Nelson Esteban and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: Hit-and-run driver kills man on bicycle in early morning San Pedro collision, few details available

March 5, 2023 / / One comment

A nearly three-week streak without a bicycling death in Southern California ended early Saturday morning.

And once again, a hit-and-run driver was to blame.

According to My News LA, the victim was riding north on Pacific Avenue in Venice when he was run down from behind at 12:40 am.

The victim died at the scene.

The site puts the location at just south of Channel Street; however, that address doesn’t seem to exist. Those two streets actually meet in San Pedro, several miles south near Long Beach.

There is a Channel Pointe in Venice, but that doesn’t intersect with Pacific, so it’s unclear just where the crash occurred.

There was no ID or description given for the male victim.

According to police, the driver did not stop or identify themself before fleeing the scene. The only description of the suspect vehicle is a small, light-colored vehicle, which doesn’t give much to go on.

And as usual, the LAPD did not use either the city or state hit-and-run alert system to ask for the public’s help in finding and identifying the victim’s killer.

However, they did urge anyone with information to call the LAPD South Traffic Division Detectives Moreno and Flannery at 323/421-2500 between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday, or 1-877/527-3247 any other time.

Which is far from the same thing.

This is at least the ninth bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; it also appears to be the first in the City of Los Angeles.

Four of those deaths have been hit-and-runs.

Update: The victim has been identified by the Daily Bulletin as 51-year old Oscar Montoya, no city of residence given. 

The paper also clarifies that the crash occurred on Pacific Avenue, just south of Channel Street, in San Pedro, not Venice. 

Update 2: The LAPD has provided security cam video from the scene, showing the suspect vehicle as the driver briefly paused before speeding away. The car is described only as a light colored vehicle, possibly a Toyota Scion, although it looks more like a Kia Soul to me. 

A Good Samaritan attempted to provide aid, but to no avail. 

This is how Montoya’s adult son described him. 

“He was a loving man. If you ask anybody, they’ll say he was this big teddy bear. He was, like, this big man that you could run up into and give him a big hug and he would embrace you with open arms,” Joshua told KTLA. “He was a family man, he was my father.”

Meanwhile, Twitter user Guy Paddock reports that he frequently rides that route, even though he finds the gap in the bike lane on Pacific terrifying.

Update 3: Police arrested 27-year old Anisha Marie Lockhart, accusing her of being the driver who killed Montoya. 

According to KCAL News, 

“On March 7 … citizens provided tips that led detectives to the suspect’s vehicle, a 2009 Scion XB, which was taken into custody,” police said. “On March 9 … South Traffic Division Detectives utilizing department
resources and other tips from citizens apprehended the driver, Anisha Lockhart.” 

She was reportedly under the influence at the time of the crash, and on her way to another bar when she slammed into Montoya, who was just picking up an order from a food truck. 

Lockhart was being held on $100,000 bond, on a charge of felony hit-and-run. 

Meanwhile, it’s likely that someone will receive the $50,000 reward if Lockhart is convicted. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Oscar Montoya and all his loved ones. 

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

Update: Man riding bicycle killed by hit-and-run semi driver in Long Beach Tuesday am; police blame victim, absolve driver

February 14, 2023 / / 2 comments

No bias here.

A man riding a bicycle on Southern California’s killer highway in Long Beach was killed by the driver of a semi-truck, who kept going after the crash.

So naturally, police blamed the victim, and absolved the driver for failing to stop.

The member-supported Long Beach Post is reporting that the victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, was riding his bike east on PCH at Harbor Drive when police say he “collided” with a semi traveling in the same direction around 9:18 this morning.

He died at the scene.

The LBPD’s description of the crash is based on security cam video that apparently depicted the impact, although they don’t clarify whether the victim rear-ended the truck or somehow backed into it.

Or maybe, just maybe, the driver passed too closely, in violation of California’s three-foot passing law, as well as the new requirement to change lanes when possible to pass a bike rider, and somehow sideswiped the victim, or cause him to fall under it.

We may never know.

The cops were also quick to absolve the driver of any responsibility to stop after the crash, saying he or she may not have known it happened.

Because apparently, drivers aren’t required to be aware of what happens with their massive vehicles, or any damage or deaths they may cause.

Let’s hope they clarify things at some point.

A street view shows a four lane highway with center turn lane, and right turn lanes in each direction.

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

Three of those deaths appear to be hit-and-runs.

Update: Long Beach police have clarified that the victim apparently fell off his bike and was struck by the truck driver. 

Which doesn’t explain why the driver passed close enough to hit him if he fell beside the truck, or why the driver wouldn’t be aware he’d hit someone.

It’s also possible that a too-close pass could have been what caused the victim to fall. 

Anyone with information is urged to call LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detectives Kevin Johansen or Joseph Johnson 562/570-7355.

Update 2: The victim was identified as 59-year-old homeless Long Beach resident Kevin Evans, who was on his way to volunteer with the nonprofit Care Closet Long Beach when he was killed.

The Long Beach Post describes him as someone who was always willing to help others, despite his own situation.

More than 20 years ago, Evans grew tired of the stresses of having to pay a mortgage and utilities, so he decided to leave that behind to pursue a “camping” lifestyle, his friends said.

Eventually, with the support of Care Closet Long Beach, Evans was able to use his experiences to help others, especially homeless residents, going through tough situations, Given said.

He died just three days short of his 60th birthday.

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

Thanks to Psmith for the heads-up. 

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

Update: OC Dr. Michael John Mammone murdered in Dana Point collision and stabbing; killer arrested at the scene

February 1, 2023 / / 10 comments

This time there’s no question.

It’s murder.

Multiple sources are reporting that a mountain bike rider has died after being run down by a driver, who then got out and stabbed the victim before being restrained by witnesses.

The victim was riding in the bike lane on northbound PCH when he was rundown from behind by the driver of a white Lexus while approaching Crown Valley Parkway around 3 pm Wednesday.

The force of the impact tossed the victim into the intersection. The driver made a U-turn, got out out of his car, then stabbed the victim as they lay injured on the ground.

The victim, who hasn’t been identified, was rushed to a nearby hospital, and died around 5:52 pm.

The driver was arrested at the scene.

Police are unsure if the driver knew the victim, but suspect the initial impact was a deliberate act.

The stabbing definitely was.

There’s no word yet on the charges, but the driver should face a felony murder count.

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

It’s also the first one that’s clearly intentional.

Update: Security cam video clearly captured the collision, showing the driver appear to run a red light to slam into the victim.

The stabbing doesn’t appear to be visible, but be forewarned the crash is very graphic. You may want to think twice before clicking on the link.

Update 2: Gut-wrenching doesn’t begin to describe this very public murder. 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has identified the victim as 58-year old Michael John Mammone, an emergency physician with Providence Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach — likely the same hospital where he spent the last moments of his life, as doctors worked feverishly to save him. 

His killer was named as 39-year old Vanroy Evan Smith. 

According the sheriff’s department, there’s no answer yet as to why Smith murdered Mammone in the middle of a busy Orange County intersection. 

At this time, there is no known connection between the suspect and the victim. Investigators will work to determine what led to this incident. This incident is being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail.

If you have any information related to this crime, please contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-288-6740. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The Laguna Beach Independent reports the knife was recovered at the scene. 

A news story from Fox11 indicates Smith stabbed Mammone at least once in the back, then pulled out a gun and fired several shots before he was disarmed by witnesses; no word on whether anyone was struck by the bullets or if the weapon was recovered.

The station also posted photos of Mammone’s killer, somehow obtained from a Long Beach law firm. 

The report from Fox11 also included this statement from the hospital where Mammone worked:

The hospital released the following statement saying, “We are stunned by this devastating tragedy. The entire Mission Hospital family is grieving over the loss of an incredible physician and friend. We will honor Dr. Mammone’s dedication to our community and passion for medicine by continuing to provide exceptional care.”

Photo of ghost bike for Dr. Michael Mammones by Walt Arrrrr

Update 3: As expected, the Orange County District Attorney’s office has charged Smith with murder, along with a felony enhancement of the personal use of a knife.

He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life, plus one year. Which apparently means if he dies in prison, they’ll keep him propped up in his cell for another year.

Smith pled not guilty to the charges, also as expected; he’s currently being held on $1 million bail.

However, there’s no mention of a gun in the DA’s press release, which calls into question reports on Fox News that he fired multiple rounds after the stabbing.

The DA added this statement in the press release:

“An innocent man is dead because he took a bike ride to enjoy a beautiful California day along the beach and he was hit with a car and stabbed to death by someone he apparently never met,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “The murder of a complete stranger in broad daylight for what appears to be absolutely no reason is the stuff of nightmares. This unspeakable act of violence will forever haunt those who were forced to witness it and it will forever haunt all of those who loved Dr. Mammone.”

Meanwhile, a comment from MamieMTB clarified that Mammone was likely taken to the trauma center at Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach.

LAist compares the incident to the infamous Mandeville Canyon case, in which road raging Dr. Christopher Thompson was convicted of brake-checking three bicyclists, seriously injuring two.

However, we should be careful at this point, because there is nothing yet to indicate this was a case of road rage, even though that is one of the most likely explanations.

There could have been some yet-unknown connection between the two, or it could have been a completely random incident.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Michael John Mammone and all his loved ones. 

Thanks to mcderpy87, Victor Bale, Phillip Young, Edward Rubinstein and Marcello Calicchio for the heads-up. 

Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels.

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