While the rest of Los Angeles was celebrating Independence Day, a young man in Baldwin Park became just the latest bike rider to lose his life on our mean streets.
According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, 19-year old Baldwin Park resident Anthony Alexander Morales Perez was riding west on Los Angeles Street around 9:56 pm yesterday when he started to make left turn onto Bresee Avenue.
He was struck by the driver of a car traveling on Los Angeles; it’s not clear whether Perez was struck from behind, or if the car was traveling in the other direction.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver remained at the scene; police don’t suspect drug or alcohol use played a factor.
There’s no word on whether Perez had lights or reflectors on his bike, which should have made him visible to others on the street.
A street view shows Los Angeles Street has two lanes and a left turn lane in each direction, controlled by a red light in each direction. Again, there’s no word on who might have had the right-of-way, or if the traffic signal may have been a factor in the crash.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Baldwin Park Police Department at 626/960-1955.
This is at least the 37th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 15th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Anthony Alexander Morales Perez and his loved ones.
Thanks to John McBrearty for the heads-up.
