Another day, another person riding a bicycle killed on the mean streets of Southern California.
This time in West Covina.
KTLA-5 is reporting that a woman — or a “family cyclist,” whatever that means — was struck and killed around 4:47 am Saturday morning near Amar Road and Leanna Drive.
The victim, publicly identified only as “her,” died at the scene. As in “the victim’s identity will be released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner after her family is notified.”
The driver fled the scene, apparently on foot. Investigators somehow identified the suspect as 40-year old Walnut resident Daniel Chavarin, who was arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, and driving under the influence.
Anyone with information is urged to call the West Covina Police Department at 626/939-8688 or LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800/222-8477.
Unfortunately, KTLA is the only source reporting on the crime so far, and that’s all the information we have at this time.
There’s no word on how the crash occurred, how police identified and located the driver, what Chavarin is suspected of being under the influence of, or why the victim was identified as a “family cyclist,” a term I have never encountered before.
So we’re left with a number of questions, which will hopefully be answered in the coming days.
Hopefully.
This is at least the 42nd bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the 14th we know about in Los Angeles County. At least 12 of those SoCal deaths, or 28%, have been hit-and-runs.
Update: The victim has been identified as 36-year old Ashley Kilbourne, no city of residence given, and no explanation for why she was initially described as a “family cyclist.”
According to SGV City Watch, Daniel Chavarin is currently. being held in lieu of $100,000 bond, with his first scheduled court appearance scheduled for tomorrow in West Covina Superior Court.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Ashley Kilbourne and her loved ones.
Thanks to injury attorney James Johnson for the heads-up.
