Archive for Bicycle Safety

Police blame the victim after 18-year old Raider Magallanes killed in Signal Hill bicycling collision last week — even though witnesses contradict them

June 26, 2024 / / 4 comments

Nothing like blaming the victim.

A Long Beach boy was killed riding his bike in Signal Hill last week, and the local police were quick to blame him for his own death.

Maybe too quick.

According to the Long Beach Post, 18-year old Raider Magallanes was training with a couple friends around 7:35 pm on Tuesday, June 18th when he “collided into a moving vehicle” at Cherry Ave and Skyline Drive.

There’s no word on whether Magallanes died at the scene, or after being taken to a hospital after the crash.

And yes, the driver stuck around afterwards, as required by law and basic human decency.

Signal Hill police determined that the recent high school graduate ran the red light after descending a steep hill while headed west on Skyline Drive, apparently based on a security cam from a nearby grocery store.

However, according to Velina Velasquez, the boy’s aunt and legal guardian, numerous witnesses have come forward to say Magallanes — not the driver — had the green light. And that the traffic lights couldn’t be seen in the video that captured the crash.

Which raises the question of whether there were any independent witnesses who told police Magallanes ran the red light. Or if they just took the driver’s word for it.

Magallanes had graduated with honors from Long Beach Polytechnic High School just five days before the crash, and was training with friends in anticipation of joining the Marines in August.

His aunt adopted Magallanes and his two brothers when he was eight years old, and raised him as her own.

Velasquez has stayed near the intersection for the past week, talking with anyone who may have seen the crash. During that time, she’s witnessed several near-misses, along with a hit-and-run, and says more needs to be done to improve safety.

“There needs to be a camera here, there should have been a camera here,” Velasquez said.

A crowdfunding campaign has raised less than $7,000 of the $30,000 goal.

This is at least the 26th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the seventh that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

Magallanes’ death came just four days after another fatal bicycling collision less than four miles away in Long Beach.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Raider Magallanes and all his loved ones.

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

54-year old man from Alaska killed riding bicycle in early morning Westminster crash

June 22, 2024 / / Comments Off on 54-year old man from Alaska killed riding bicycle in early morning Westminster crash

Too often these days, the news leaves us with more questions than answers.

The was the case on Friday, when news broke that a man from Alaska was killed riding a bicycle in an early morning collision in Westminster.

According to KCAL News, the victim was riding in the traffic lanes near 20th Street and Beach Boulevard around 5 am Friday, when he was struck by the driver of a Lincoln Town Car.

The driver stopped and called 911 after the crash, and police did not suspect he was under the influence.

The victim, identified only as a 54-year old Alaska resident, died at the scene.

However, there’s no explanation of whether he was visiting Orange County, or was living here now.

There’s also no word on what was meant by “riding in the traffic lanes.” He would have been in the traffic lanes if he was crossing Beach Blvd. Or if he was riding on Beach, there’s no other place he could have been, since there are no bike or parking lanes.

And there’s no word on how fast the driver was going, or whether the victim had lights on his bike in the pre-dawn darkness.

Hopefully, we’ll get more answers soon. But I wouldn’t count on it.

Anyone with information is urged to call Westminster Police Department Traffic Division Investigator Stewart DeJong at 714/548-3787.

This is at least the 25th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in Orange County.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

Update: 17-year old boy killed by San Diego Amtrak train after riding around crossing gates; 2nd SoCal bike death Friday

June 15, 2024 / / Comments Off on Update: 17-year old boy killed by San Diego Amtrak train after riding around crossing gates; 2nd SoCal bike death Friday

Sadly, there was more bad news for the Southern California bicycling community on Friday.

According to multiple reports, a 17-year old boy was killed when he was struck by an Amtrak train in San Diego’s University City neighborhood early Friday afternoon.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was crossing the railroad tracks on Sorrento Valley Blvd, between Sorrento Valley Road and Roselle Street, when he was hit by the southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner at 12:34 pm.

He died at the scene.

The victim was one of three boys who stopped their bikes at the railroad crossing gates to wait for a northbound train to pass. But as so often happens, he rode around the gates after that train had passed, not realizing another train was coming in the opposite direction.

Tragically, Fox5 reports that the victim’s parents arrived shortly after the crash, while officials were still removing his mangled bike from the tracks.

The other two boys were not injured. It’s not clear if they were riding with the victim, or just happened to stop together at the gates.

This is yet another tragic reminder to always wait until the gates go up to cross any rail tracks, regardless of whether it seems safe at the time.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Sheriff’s Department’s non-emergency line at 858/565-5200.

This is at least the 24th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the seventh that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: The victim has been identified 17-year old Alex Segal. He was a student at Torrey Pines High School in the Del Mar Heights neighborhood, and a member of the junior varsity soccer team.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Alex Segal and all his family and loved ones.

Thanks to Phillip Young for the heads-up. 

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

Update: Man riding bicycle killed in early morning rear-end collision near CSU Long Beach; 6th LA County bike death this year

June 14, 2024 / / 4 comments

Friday was a bad day for Southern California bike riders — starting with a deadly pre-dawn wreck in Long Beach.

According to My News LA, the victim was riding east on 7th Street at Bellflower Blvd around 5:05 am, when he was run down from behind by a driver traveling in the same direction.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died at the scene before paramedics arrived.

The driver stopped after the crash. Police don’t believe that speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence were factors in the crash.

There’s no word on whether the victim had lights on his bike in the pre-dawn hour, or why the driver was apparently unable to see him riding directly in front of their vehicle.

It’s unclear exactly where the crash occurred, however, as Patch Long Beach places the location four-tenths of a mile away, at 7th Street and Campus Drive across from CSU Long Beach.

According to reports, the victim was riding in the right traffic lane when he struck by the driver, who also has not been publicly identified.

However, there is a bike lane on 7th, which the victim would likely have been riding in unless it was blocked, or he was moving across the roadway to make a turn.

Since his body was found on the sidewalk, it seems more likely that the driver drifted into the bike lane, knocking him to the right, than the other way around.

Anyone with information is urged to call Long Beach Police Detective Joseph Johnson at 562/570-7355, or Crime Stoppers at 800/222-TIPS.

This is at least the 23rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

Update: The victim has been identified as 42-year old Keith Moore, no city of residence given.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Keith Moore and all his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Man dies 4 days after he was rear-ended on his bicycle in Apple Valley; victim identified as 54-year old Victor Cunanan

June 8, 2024 / / One comment

Earlier in the week, we mentioned that a man had suffered major injuries when he was struck by a driver in Apple Valley on Monday.

Sadly, he didn’t make it.

The Victor Valley Daily Press is reporting that 54-year old Apple Valley resident Victor Cunanan died from his injuries at Loma Linda University Medical Center on Friday.

Cunanan was riding east on Thunderbird Road at Wichita Road around 9:10 pm Monday, when he was rear-ended by an SUV driver traveling in the same direction at a high rate of speed.

The 36-year old driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

A message from his church the next day had asked for “fervent prayers” for Cunanan, as well as his wife and children.

The earlier story had said Cunanan was riding in the traffic lane when he was struck. However, that was not repeated in the second story reporting his death; there is a westbound bike lane on Thunderbird, but not headed east.

The crash remains under investigation. Any with information is urged to call the Apple Valley Station of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department at 760/240-7400, or Sheriff’s Dispatch number at 760/956-5001.

This is at least the 22nd 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 Victor Cunanan and all his family and loved ones. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: Man killed riding bicycle on I-805 in Chula Vista last week; victim identified as 66-year old Victor Keith Fields

June 7, 2024 / / 3 comments

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

This time on the 805 in Chula Vista last week.

According to San Diego’s Fox 5, 66-year old Victor Keith Fields was riding on the shoulder of southbound I-805 around 7:40 pm on Wednesday, May 29th.

As he was approaching or exiting onto the Palm Ave offramp, the driver of a Toyota sedan swerved to the right without explanation and slammed into him — most likely striking Fields at freeway speeds.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

There’s no word on whether the driver was ticketed or charged. And as with other similar cases, there’s no information on why Fields was riding on the freeway.

This is at least the 21st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: A comment below from Ron Hidinger explains why Fields was riding on the freeway. He also points out that a bike path was supposed to be built parallel to the 805, but no work has started on it. 

I have the answer why the deceased was riding on the freeway shoulder. The section of I805 from Main St to Palm Ave is marked with signage allowing bicycles. Or at least it was, I haven’t been that way in a while. The reason is that there is no way to bike from Chula Vista to South San Diego without using the 805 without going way around. The toll road 125 is similarly marked.
I preferred the north bound side as it was relatively safer. The south bound exit at Palm is a typically chaotic, car centric CALTRANS design seemingly designed to imperil cyclists and pedestrians regardless of whether they’re on the ramp or not.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Victor Keith Fields and all his loved ones. 

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

National City teen dies 2 days after he was struck by a driver while biking to school — and just days before his graduation

June 2, 2024 / / 2 comments

Heartbreaking news from National City, where a teenaged boy died two days after he was struck by a driver while riding his bike.

And just one day after his 18th birthday.

Edgar Burciaga was riding his bike to school Tuesday morning when he was severely injured in a collision at J Ave and East 18th Street in National City.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on how or when the crash occurred. His mother was informed by police around 10 am on the morning of the crash.

His family gathered around Edgar’s bed on Wednesday to celebrate his birthday — a day after he was rushed into surgery, and one day before he was declared brain dead.

They gathered again yesterday to celebrate Edgar’s high school graduation, before his body was wheeled into an operating room to donate his organs.

This is how San Diego’s NBC-7 describes it.

His family said Edgar was bigger than life and he always had a heart for others.

“That’s why his father and I decided he was the perfect candidate to donate his organs to those who are in a critical health condition,” she said.

Edgar was a son, brother, and a senior at Sweetwater High School in National City. He was expected to graduate next week.

“I feel very proud of him, his life, and everything that he was,” said Rutilio de Haro, Edgar’s father.

There will be an empty seat at his high school graduation, but others will go home to their families thanks to his family’s generosity.

The driver remained at the scene; there’s no word on whether they were charged or ticketed.

This is at least the 20th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Edgar Burciaga and all his loved ones. 

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

52-year old Huntington Beach man killed in Fountain Valley hit-and-run; nearly half of all 2024 SoCal bike deaths hit-and-runs

May 16, 2024 / / One comment

There seems to be no end to the rash of cowardly hit-and-run drivers on Southern California streets this year.

Including in Fountain Valley Sunday morning, where a 52-year old Huntington Beach man was killed while riding his bike.

According to the Daily Pilot, Antonio Huerta was riding in the bike lane on eastbound Slater Ave, just west of Santa Maria Street, just after 7:05 am when an unknown driver entered the bike lane and ran him down.

The driver fled east on Slater without stopping.

First responders found Huerta on the sidewalk suffering from traumatic injuries. He died the next day after he was taken to a local hospital.

There’s no description at this time of the suspect vehicle or the heartless coward behind the wheel.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Fountain Valley Police Department’s traffic bureau at 714/593-4481.

This is at least the 19th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and already the fifth that I’m aware of in Orange County.

Nine of those victims — nearly half — were killed by hit-and-run drivers.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Antonio Huerta and all his loved ones.

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

31-year old Palm Springs woman riding bike killed in Cathedral City hit-and-run; 8th fatal SoCal biking hit-and-run in 2024

May 9, 2024 / / 2 comments

Once again, someone riding a bicycle in Southern California has been left to die in the street by a heartless hit-and-run driver.

This time Wednesday night in Cathedral City.

According to multiple sources, the victim, identified only as a 31-year old woman, was struck by a driver at Ramon Road and Landau Blvd around 11:10 pm.

First responders found her lying unresponsive in the street suffering from severe injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver fled before police arrived.

There’s no description of the suspect vehicle or the person driving, and no word on how the crash occurred.

There is a bike lane on Landau, but the southbound side disappears near the intersection with Ramon, where it’s most needed.

Anyone with information is urged to call Cathedral City Police Traffic Investigator A. Felix at 760/770-0343 or the Cathedral City Police Department at 760/770-0300.

This is at least the 18th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and already the fifth that I’m aware of in Riverside County.

This was also the eighth SoCal bike rider killed by hit-and-run drivers this year.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Oceanside man dies in hospital, nearly a month after he was struck by a driver while riding ebike

May 9, 2024 / / 2 comments

Too often, we never hear what happens after a victim is hospitalized following a crash.

The rare times we do, the news usually isn’t good.

That’s was the case today, when we learned an Oceanside man died nearly a month after he was hit by a driver in a pre-dawn crash.

According to a report from City News Service, 56-year old Oceanside resident Kevin Cerv died on Friday, 24 days after he hospitalized with severe head and neck trauma.

Cerv was riding his ebike at Corporate Centre Drive and Ocean Ranch Blvd in Oceanside when the driver struck him shortly before 4 am on Tuesday, April 9th.

There’s no description of how the crash occurred, or which way Cerv was riding. There’s also no word on whether the driver, who has not been identified, was ticketed or charged, or if the crash is still being investigated.

Nor is there any reason at this time to believe that the type of bike he was riding contributed to the crash.

This is at least the 18th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in San Diego County. It’s also the second bicycling death in Oceanside in less than two months.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Kevin Cerv and all his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,
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