For the third time this week, a Southern California bike rider has died.
But at least the driver stuck around this time.
According to Long Beach Watchdog, a man died two weeks after he was struck by an alleged speeding driver while riding his bicycle in Long Beach October 6th.
The victim, identified as 35-year old Long Beach resident Raul Augustin Gallopa, was biking east on Fourth Street at Bonito Ave around 7:53 pm when the driver of a BMW slammed into him as Gallopa tried to turn north onto Bonita.
Twenty-four-year old Ahkeyajahnique Owens of Long Beach was arrested at the scene for reckless driving, as police accused him of traveling at a high rate of speed on the narrow three-lane street; there’s no word at this time whether he has been formally charged.
Gallopa was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where he died on Monday; however, police weren’t told of his death until Friday.
Anyone with information is urged to call Collision Investigation Detail Detective Ashley Van Holland of the Long Beach Police Department at 562/570-7355.
Long Beach Watchdog reports this was the 47th traffic fatality reported by the LBPD this year, compared to 40 deaths from traffic violence for all of last year.
Meanwhile, Gallopa’s death is at least the 50th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the tenth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Raul Augustin Gallopa and all his loved ones.
