Tag Archive for bicycling fatality

Man riding ebike killed by hit-and-run driver in LA’s Jefferson Park neighborhood; 8th SoCal bike rider killed in hit-and-run this year

April 27, 2026 / / No comments

Another day, another person killed riding an ebike in Southern California.

This time in Los Angeles.

And this time in a hit-and-run.

Just hours after a 13-year old boy was killed by was killed by an Amtrak train in Simi Valley, a man was killed by a driver in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

According to KTLA-5, which is currently the only outlet reporting on the crash, the victim was struck while riding near 36th Street and 5th Ave around 11 pm Saturday night.

The victim, described only as a man around 48-years old, was thrown onto a parked car with enough force to cause significant damage to the rear of the car.

He died at the scene.

The driver fled following the crash. No arrest has been made, and there is currently no description of the suspect vehicle.

There is also no word on how the crash occurred, or where the victim and the driver were located in relation to the intersection.

We also don’t know at this time what kind of ebike the victim was riding; whether it was a Class 1, 2 or 3 ebike, or an e-motorbike or electric dirt bike. An earlier report describes the bike as a motorized or motorbike, but that description was removed from the later update.

The earlier report also describes the victim as 38-years old.

This the 28th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the tenth in Los Angeles County; it’s also the fifth we know about in the City of Los Angeles.

Eight of those deaths have involved hit-and-run drivers.

As always, there is a standing $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any fatal hit-and-run driver in the City of Los Angeles.

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

 

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

Breaking: 13-year old ebike rider killed by Amtrak train in Simi Valley Saturday; 4th Ventura County bike death this year

April 26, 2026 / / 7 comments

Ventura County is having its worst year in memory for bicycling deaths — and it’s only getting worse.

And this time, the victim was a kid.

According to a late night notice from the Simi Valley Police Department, the victim, identified only as a 13-year old juvenile riding an ebike, was killed in a collision with a train on Saturday.

The victim was riding on the east sidewalk of Sequoia Ave, heading south, when they “failed to stop in time” at the railroad crossing at Sequoia and Los Angeles Ave, and was struck by a passing Amtrak train.

It’s not clear if the victim died at the scene, or was taken to a local hospital.

A street view shows crossing gates on Sequoia, but it would have been easy to go around them on the sidewalk.

If the description is accurate, it suggests that the victim tried and failed to stop in time, raising questions of how fast the ebike was going — and what type of ebike a victim that young was riding. As well as why the crossing gates did not provide more warning before the train arrived.

It’s also possible that the victim may not have noticed the gates were down, or could have tried to go around the gates after they had been lowered.

Either way, it’s a needless tragedy that will be felt throughout the community.

Anyone with information is urged to call Simi Valley Police Department Traffic Investigator Abel Martinez at 805/583-6224, or email AMartinez@simivalley.org. Or contact Simi Valley Police Department Traffic Supervisor Sergeant Josh McAlister at 805/583-6940, email JMcAlister@simivalley.org.

This the 27th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the fourth in Ventura County.

That compares to three all year last year, and two the year before.

My deepest sympathy for the victim and all their friends, family and loved ones. 

Thanks to Linda for the heads-up. 

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

78-year old man killed by SUV driver in San Marcos Tuesday; 6th bicycling fatality in San Diego County already this year

April 21, 2026 / / No comments

Someone who’s lasted nearly 80 years on this world deserves better than to die because they went out for a bike ride.

But that’s what happened in San Marcos Tuesday afternoon.

And it’s not likely to be changed this time.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the victim, identified publicly only as a 78-year old man, was struck by the driver of an SUV around 12:11 pm today.

Deputies found him down in the westbound lanes on the 1900 block of West San Marcos Boulevard, west of Rancho Santa Fe Road. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead around 15 minutes later.

A news photo shows a white Lexus SUV with a shattered windshield straddling the traffic lanes, suggesting the victim was struck at speed. Video shows what appears to be the victim’s covered body resting near the center divider.

But be sure you really want to see it before you click on either of the links in that last paragraph, because you can’t unsee it afterwards.

A street view shows a painted bike lane on San Marcos, although there’s no way of knowing was in it at the time of the crash. There’s a posted 45 mph speed limit, at least in the opposite direction.

The driver remained at the scene. Investigators aren’t sure at this time if drugs or alcohol were involved.

Anyone with information is urged to call the San Marcos Sheriff’s station at 760-510-5200.

This the 26th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the sixth already this year in San Diego County.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: Boy riding e-scooter dies two days after Pomona collision

April 20, 2026 / / No comments

Every bicycling death is tragic.

But somehow, it seems even worse when the victim is a kid.

That was the case in Pomona this week, where a boy died two days after he was struck by a driver while riding an ebike.

KTLA-5 reports the victim was riding on the sidewalk on the 1600 block of South San Antonio Ave, near Patterson Street, around 2:30 pm Friday, when he rode out into the street and was struck by a driver.

It’s not clear from the limited description whether he rode out into Patterson at the intersection, or went off the sidewalk and into the street on San Antonio.

A street view shows a bike lane on both sides of the street, so it’s questionable why the victim would have been on the sidewalk.

It’s also not clear whether he was riding was a legal Class 1, 2 or 3 ebike, or an illegal e-moto. Which is exactly the problem when the same word is used to describe anything with batteries and two wheels.

He was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Children’s Hospital Orange County, where he died on Sunday.

The victim hasn’t been publicly identified, and there’s no word at this time just how old he is.

The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, although police remain unsure whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision.

Update: Shortly after posting this, KNBC-4 and KABC-7 reported that the victim was a student Simons Middle School, a few blocks away in Pomona. 

Thirteen-year old Angel Mendoza was struck as he was riding an e-scooter to a friend’s house, and died of severe head injuries; he was not wearing a helmet.

A crowdfunding campaign has raise more than $12,000 of the $15,000 goal. 

Since he was not riding a bicycle, the number of bicycling deaths in Southern California remains at 25, and nine in Los Angeles County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Angel Mendoza and all his family and loved ones. 

Ghost tire photo from Streets Are For Everyone website. 

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

Update: Man riding ebike dies after crashing in Point Mugu State Park; death appears to be result of natural causes

April 12, 2026 / / One comment

Sometimes, a crash can cause a heart to stop. And sometimes, a heart stopping can cause a crash.

This time, it looks like it may have been the latter case.

The Ventura County Star is reporting that a man died after suffering cardiac arrest following an ebike in Point Mugu State Park on Saturday, although the story is hidden behind a paywall.

The victim, identified only as a 68-year old man, was riding with a group of people in Sycamore Canyon when he crashed near Big Sycamore Canyon and Ranch Center roads sometime before 1 pm on April 11th.

His fellow riders tried to resuscitate him before county fire personnel and state park rangers arrived and took over; unfortunately, he died at the scene.

Sheriff’s investigators concluded he probably crashed because of a medical problem, although the exact cause will likely be determined by the Ventura County medical examiner.

A street view appears to show the location is a pair of fire roads in hilly terrain.  Even on an ebike, the exertion could have brought on something that caused his heart to stop.

This the 25th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the third in Ventura County.

Update: The victim has been identified as 76-year old Camarillo resident Dean Robertson; the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office determined he died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. 

It’s not clear why the original report said he was 68. 

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

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

Driver killed 33-year old woman riding bicycle in Banning Tuesday night, 32-year old man riding bike seriously injured

March 26, 2026 / / 4 comments

Well, it was nice while it lasted.

We made it a full week without someone getting killed riding a bicycle somewhere on the mean streets of Southern California.

That ended Tuesday night, when a driver somehow managed to run down not one, but two people riding bikes in Banning.

One is expected to survive, anyway.

According to multiple sources, the victims were riding on the 5300 block of W. Ramsey Street near Apex Ave when they were struck by the driver, who stayed at the scene, a little before 9 pm.

A 33-year old woman suffered severe injuries and died at the scene, while the 32-year old man she was riding with was hospitalized with major injuries.

There is no word on how the crash occurred, or why the driver apparently failed to see two adults riding bicycles. However, police don’t suspect the driver of being under the influence.

Police believe the victims may have been homeless, which raises the possibility they may not have had lights on their bikes, though wheel reflectors can be seen in video from the crash scene.

And whether or not they were housed should not, and does not, lesson the tragedy in any way.

There is a painted bike lane with a narrow buffer in both directions on Ramsey, with nothing to slow drivers on the long, straight roadway at that hour.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Traffic Bureau of the Banning Police Department at 951/922-3170.

This the 24th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the third in Riverside County.

Which means someone has been killed riding a bicycle in Southern California an average of every three-and-a-half days since the first of the year.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victims and all their family and loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: 78-year old man riding a bicycle killed by driver on Coronado’s Silver Strand Tuesday afternoon; 23rd SoCal bike death this year

March 17, 2026 / / 2 comments

The luck of the Irish failed a man riding a bicycle in Coronado Tuesday afternoon.

And of course, there’s no explanation for how it happened.

Only what.

Multiple sources are reporting that a 78-year old man was killed when he was struck by a driver at Silver Strand Blvd and Tulagi Road around 1:30 pm.

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

And yes, the driver stayed and tried to aid the victim; police don’t suspect drug or alcohol use.

The crash reportedly occurred on the southbound section of the divided roadway, which suggests he may have been trying to turn left to get onto the two-way bike path on the northbound side.

Although there could be other explanations.

Whatever happened, anyone still riding a bicycle at that age deserved better.

This the 23rd bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the fifth in San Diego County.

Which means that someone has been killed riding a bicycle in Southern California every 3.3 days since the first of the year.

Update: The victim has been identified as 78-year old James Joseph Berta. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for James Joseph Berta and his loved ones. 

 

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

43-year old man dies after March 1 Clairemont, San Diego hit-and-run; SoCal bike rider killed every 3.4 days this year

March 14, 2026 / / No comments

As if the news couldn’t get any worse this week, now we’ve learned that yet another bike rider died after a San Diego hit-and-run earlier this month.

The victim’s sister announced the news by asking for help finding the driver.

Estefania Gallardo Bledsoe said her brother, 43-year old Clairemont resident Andrés Gallardo, was riding in the parking lane on Ashford Street around 11:30 pm on Sunday, March 1st, when the driver struck him from behind.

Fox 5 San Diego places the crash near Ashford and Hutton streets, though they apparently mean Ashford and Hatton.

Gallardo was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died, although it’s not clear just when he passed away.

The driver fled the scene.

Witnesses report hearing a loud collision, which suggests that speed may have been a factor. However, there’s no description of the driver or suspect vehicle at this time.

Bledsoe describes her brother as a happy, funny person, who worked in construction and loved soccer, cooking and his 16-year old son.

According to 10 News San Diego, she can’t understand how anyone could just leave him like that.

“If you do that, you have no heart and no soul. I don’t know how someone can go to bed at night and sleep, thinking about this,” Estefania said.

Despite her grief, Estefania said she is not giving up hope that someone will come forward with information.

“I still have hope. I believe good people are out there that know something. I’m not going to stop until I know who it was,” Estefania said.

We can hope.

A crowdfunding campaign to help defray funeral expenses and carry Gallardo’s ashes to his mother in West Virginia and his father in the Magallanes region of Chile has raised 65% of the approximately $4,000 goal.

This the 22nd bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the fourth in San Diego County.

That means a SoCal bike rider has been killed an average of every three-and-a-third days since the first of this awful year.

Seven of those deaths have now involved hit-and-run drivers.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Andrés Gallardo and his family and loved ones. 

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

Update: 73-year old woman dies after apparent right-hook hit-and-run in Koreatown Monday; suspected DUI driver arrested

March 14, 2026 / / No comments

Seriously, this has got to stop.

For the fourth time just this week, someone has died riding a bicycle in Southern California.

Multiple sources are reporting that a 73-year old woman was killed by the driver of a pickup in a Koreatown crosswalk Monday morning.

The driver stopped briefly, then backed up and fled the scene.

The crash occurred around 6:40 am at Olympic Blvd and Vermont Ave, as the pickup was headed east on Olympic. The driver attempted to turn right onto Vermont, and apparently right hooked the victim as she rode east across Vermont.

Although that part isn’t exactly clear, because the reports say she was in the crosswalk on Olympic when she was struck; only My News LA says she was headed east, which would put her in the crosswalk on Vermont.

The driver stopped for a moment, then backed up onto Olympic and fled east.

The victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, was taken to a hospital, where she died sometime later.

Police found a white Dodge Ram pickup matching the description of the suspect vehicle nearby and took the driver into custody. Investigators note that drug use “may” have played a role in the crash, though it’s unknown if alcohol may have also been a factor.

The crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call detectives with the LAPD’s West Traffic Division at 213/473-0234 or 1-877/527-3247.

This the 21st bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the ninth already in Los Angeles County; it’s also the fourth we know about in the City of Los Angeles.

Six of those SoCal deaths have involved hit-and-run drivers.

Update: The victim has been identified as 73-year old Kum Soon Lee-Kim. 

However, someone should tell My News LA that once a driver flees the scene, it’s not a “suspected” hit-and-run driver, it is a hit-and-run. The driver is only suspected once they’re accused.

However, there also seems to be some question whether the accused driver was taken into custody; KTLA-5 says an arrest was made, but My News LA says police are still looking for the driver, with the usual standing $50,000 reward for any fatal hit-and-run in the City of Los Angeles. 

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

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

25-year old Costa Mesa man dies over a month after being bitten by a rattlesnake while mountain biking in Irvine

March 12, 2026 / / No comments

Heartbreaking news from Irvine, where a man was killed while mountain biking.

From a snakebite.

KABC-7 reports that 25-year old Costa Mesa resident Julian Hernandez was riding on the Quail Hill Trail in Irvine on Sunday, February 1st, when he stopped to wait for a friend near the Quail Hill Community Center.

He lost his balance when he tried to adjust his shoe, fell into some brush and was bitten on the leg by a rattlesnake.

A report by KTLA-5 places the time of the bite at around 11 am.

Hernandez died in the hospital on March 4th, after falling into a coma and spending more than a month in intensive care.

He may have tried riding for help, according to KNBC-4. Even if he didn’t ride after the bite, the exertion of mountain biking could have caused the venom to spread faster.

However, a crowdfunding page put up by his family tells a slightly different story.

They say he was mountain biking with his dad when he stepped aside to let others pass on the trail, and was bitten by the snake.

According to the crowdfunding page,

We are a family that handed our son over to people we trusted and never got him back. Please help spread the word and the love of my brother, who was cherished by so many, and who impacted even more people than we can imagine. Raising these funds will help cover the costs of hospital fees, his memorial service, and any additional financial strain that arises from this ongoing situation.

Julian was a leader in his community. He was a son, a brother, a loving boyfriend, and a friend to everyone. We will pursue the truth about what happened to Julian and we will stand up for him. This is not about anger. This is about accountability. This is about making sure the next family that walks through those doors doesn’t live our nightmare. Julian loved hard, laughed loud, and made everyone around him feel like they mattered. He deserved better. Please help us fight for him.

It sounds like they are blaming the hospital or the physicians who cared for him for Hernandez’ death.

As of this writing, the page has raised more than $28,000 of the $123,000 goal.

The CDC reports that only around five of the 7,000 to 8,000 people bitten by venomous snakes each year end up dying.

Whatever the reason, he was one of us, and his death serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of mountain biking, and the need to always be on the lookout for unexpected risks on any trail.

Even one close to the city.

This the 20th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year; it also appears to be the first in Orange County.

And yes, it’s the first death by snakebite in the nearly 20 years I’ve been doing this.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Julian Hernandez and all his family and loved ones. 

Thanks to Megan for the heads-up. 

Photo by Pixabay.

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