Too often, we get word that someone had been killed riding a bicycle, but struggle confirm the story.
This time, we have the opposite problem.
According to the Orange County Coroner’s office, a 31-year old man was killed when he was hit by the driver of a semi-truck in Garden Grove just before 6 pm last Friday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene ten minutes later.
Unfortunately, that’s all we know.
No location was given, other than some street, somewhere in Garden Grove. No word on how the crash happened or who was at fault.
And no name or city of residence was given for the victim; that much, at least, should eventually be provided once they notify his next of kin.
Hopefully, the press will finally get around to the story and give us a little more information.
This is at least the 78th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 13th that I’m aware of in Orange County.
The victim was also the third Orange County bike rider to be killed in the last three weeks, and the 11th SoCal bicyclist killed in what has been a very bloody holiday season.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and all his loved ones.
Somehow, we missed the news that an 87-year old man was killed while riding his bike in San Bernardino on Monday.
According to the San Bernardino Sun, the victim was critically injured while allegedly crossing an intersection against a red light at 4:16 Monday afternoon.
He was taken to a local hospital, where he died sometime later.
Reports indicate Moreno was riding through cross traffic when he was hit in the left lane on the four lane street; the driver claims he didn’t see him before the crash.
As always, the question is whether there were independent witnesses other than the driver who saw which direction had the right-of-way, or if there actually were other cars in the intersection.
It simply doesn’t make sense that an 87-year old man would blow a red light, especially with cross traffic flowing through the intersection, unless he was unable to stop for some reason.
But chances are, we’ll never know why this crash occurred, or if it really happened the way it’s been described.
Anyone with information is urged to call San Bernardino Police Detective Dan Costa or Sgt. Jeff Harvey at 909/384-5792.
This is at least the 77th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.
Nothing like marking the holidays with yet another fatal hit-and-run.
Even if officials are unlikely to call it that.
According to the Whittier Daily News, 64-year old Whittier resident Alfred Tiscareno Jr. was riding west on Whittier Blvd when he was struck by a driver near the onramp to the 605 Freeway in unincorporated LA County near Whittier, around 6:50 Monday evening.
He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.
There’s no explanation for how the crash occurred; hopefully, more details will be available after the holiday.
And even though he he failed to stop and render aid, as required by law — or presumably, even call 911 to report the crash — he probably never will be.
Especially since Bhakta is not believed to have been under the influence, which too often seems to be the only thing that matters.
The crash is still under investigation; anyone with information is urged to call CHP Officer G. De Luna at 562/868-0503.
December 24, 2019 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on Morning Links: Thanks for a successful fund drive, a perfect Peloton Wife sendup, and wide bike lanes on Forest Lawn
While we fell a little short of last year’s total, you helped set a new record for the most donations with 57.
So please accept my personal and heartfelt gratitude for each and every donation, regardless of size; $5 from someone struggling to give means every bit as much as a larger donation from someone more comfortable.
Your generosity will help fund this site for the next few months, while ensuring I can pay for the medications I need to keep working, and keep riding.
As usual, I’ll be taking off between the holidays to rest and recharge from the stress and carnage on our streets — unless there’s breaking news, of course.
So ride safely and defensively, and have a warm and happy holiday season. And we’ll see you back here after New Years.
………
LA journalist Alissa Walker nails it with her response to the recent Peloton Wife ad, with tongue planted firmly in cheek.
Our fund drive may be over, but LA Streetsblog’s isn’t. And deserves your support, too. They were my university when I got started in advocacy, and taught me much of what I know about equity and Complete Streets.
The NYPD is belatedly cracking down on truck drivers, after four of the six pedestrians killed in collisions over a 48 hour period last week were killed in collisions with trucks. But if the victims had been riding bicycles, they’d be cracking down on the people on two wheels, instead.
Even though the US and Britain can’t even decide if she has diplomatic immunity.
Anne Sacoolas allegedly fled the scene after crashing into the 19-year old motorcyclist while driving on the wrong side of the road. Then promised to cooperate with investigators before fleeing the country under cover of darkness, claiming diplomatic immunity.
And has refused to return to the UK to face charges, despite still more promises to do so.
In other words, using her questionable immunity to avoid taking responsibility for killing a young man. And making her no better than any other hit-and-run driver.
Needless to say, our president has tried to turn the whole mess into a particularly messy episode of reality TV.
And written the whole thing off by saying “American drivers often get confused because motorists in Britain drive on the left side of the road.”
Thanks to John M, Tim Z, Robert L, Risers Music, John H, Anne K and Brian N for their very generous donations. In fact, we’ve already set a new record for the greatest number of donations, and we’re just a few hundred dollars short of our goal for this year.
So don’t let this last day — and the Corgi’s last days as this site’s official spokesdog — pass by unnoticed.
Wolfpack Hustle’s Don Ward, aka Roadblock, talks with vegan dietician, LA bike scene OG and founder of the famed Feel My Legs, I’m a Racer hillclimb Matt Ruscigno, as well as CD14 city council candidate Cyndi Otteson on this week’s Bike Talk podcast.
A new book tells the horrifying story of a Hawaiian woman who was apparently intentionally run down while riding her bike in 1991, then raped, beaten and murdered. Nearly a decade later, two men were convicted and sentenced to life in prison, though some still believe they’re innocent.
A coroner in the UK questions whether posted speed limits should apply to bicyclists, after a 79-year old man was killed when he stepped in front of a bike rider doing 38 in a 30 mph zone. Short answer, yes. Longer answer, absolutely. It’s up to you to ride safely when pedestrians are around. And your responsibility if you if you don’t.
