Tag Archive for bicyclist killed

45-year old Victorville resident killed by pickup driver while riding bicycle in the city Saturday evening

For the second time last week, someone riding a bicycle was killed in San Bernardino County.

The victim, identified as 45-year old Victorville resident Manuel Rivera, died after he was run down by the driver of a pickup truck in Victorville Saturday night.

Rivera was struck around 6:23 pm Saturday while riding on Mojave Drive, near Village Drive. He was declared dead after being taken to a local hospital.

The driver stuck around after the crash, and reportedly cooperated with the investigators.

As usual, there’s no word on how the crash occurred, or who may have been at fault. There’s also no word on whether the driver was ticketed or arrested.

Anyone with information is urged to call Deputy J. Stroik of the Victorville Police Department at 760/241-2911.

This is at least the 46th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Manuel Rivera and his loved ones.

Man on bike killed by pickup driver on SR-56 in San Diego’s Carmel Valley Ranch; 9th San Diego County bike death this year

A man was killed riding a bicycle in San Diego’s Carmel Mountain Ranch Wednesday morning.

Which is almost all we know right now.

Multiple sources are reporting the victim was struck by the driver of Dodge Ram pickup while crossing Interstate 15 on westbound State Route 56 around 9:25 am.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died after being taken to a local hospital with major injuries.

The 33-year old driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators; there’s no word on whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

There’s also no word on how the crash occurred, though given the location, it’s likely the victim was struck with the massive truck at highway speed.

This is at least the 30th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of already this year in San Diego County.

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

Police blame the victim after 18-year old Raider Magallanes killed in Signal Hill bicycling collision last week — even though witnesses contradict them

Nothing like blaming the victim.

A Long Beach boy was killed riding his bike in Signal Hill last week, and the local police were quick to blame him for his own death.

Maybe too quick.

According to the Long Beach Post, 18-year old Raider Magallanes was training with a couple friends around 7:35 pm on Tuesday, June 18th when he “collided into a moving vehicle” at Cherry Ave and Skyline Drive.

There’s no word on whether Magallanes died at the scene, or after being taken to a hospital after the crash.

And yes, the driver stuck around afterwards, as required by law and basic human decency.

Signal Hill police determined that the recent high school graduate ran the red light after descending a steep hill while headed west on Skyline Drive, apparently based on a security cam from a nearby grocery store.

However, according to Velina Velasquez, the boy’s aunt and legal guardian, numerous witnesses have come forward to say Magallanes — not the driver — had the green light. And that the traffic lights couldn’t be seen in the video that captured the crash.

Which raises the question of whether there were any independent witnesses who told police Magallanes ran the red light. Or if they just took the driver’s word for it.

Magallanes had graduated with honors from Long Beach Polytechnic High School just five days before the crash, and was training with friends in anticipation of joining the Marines in August.

His aunt adopted Magallanes and his two brothers when he was eight years old, and raised him as her own.

Velasquez has stayed near the intersection for the past week, talking with anyone who may have seen the crash. During that time, she’s witnessed several near-misses, along with a hit-and-run, and says more needs to be done to improve safety.

“There needs to be a camera here, there should have been a camera here,” Velasquez said.

A crowdfunding campaign has raised less than $7,000 of the $30,000 goal.

This is at least the 26th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the seventh that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

Magallanes’ death came just four days after another fatal bicycling collision less than four miles away in Long Beach.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Raider Magallanes and all his loved ones.

Update: Bicyclist killed in Perris Collision Friday afternoon, no information on victim

Someone was killed riding a bicycle in Perris Friday afternoon.

But apparently, it’s asking too much to even release the most basic information about the victim, beyond their mode of transportation.

According to My News LA, the victim was riding at A Street and Redding Way around 2:55 pm when they allegedly rode through a stop sign, and was struck by a driver turning left onto eastbound A Street from Redding Way.

The victim died at the scene, despite the efforts of deputies to revive them.

The victim has not been publicly identified, and authorities have not released any description of the person killed.

Anyone with information is urged to call Community Service Officer Johnson of the Perris Sheriff’s Station at 951/210-1000, or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office at 951/776-1099.

This is at least the fourth bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the second that I’m aware of in Riverside County.

Update: The victim has been identified as 54-year old Riverside resident Diane Rotarius. 

An autopsy is pending to determine her cause of death, which would seem to be apparent. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Diane Rotarius and her loved ones.

 

Update: Bicyclist killed north of Lancaster Wednesday night

Someone was killed riding a bike somewhere near Gorman Wednesday night.

Or maybe not.

According to My News LA, the CHP responded after the victim was struck around 11:06 pm Wednesday, finding the victim’s body lying on side of the roadway.

Struck by what is unclear, though, since there’s no mention of a driver. Or even a motor vehicle.

We also don’t know if the driver stuck around or fled the scene, nor is there any description of the victim.

The site places the crash on the northbound Antelope Valley Freeway (CA 14) and West Avenue C. However, the Antelope Valley Freeway goes nowhere near Gorman, which is around 40 miles west on the 5 Freeway.

There also does not appear to be a West Avenue C anywhere near Gorman, though there is a W Ave C 14 in Lancaster. But it doesn’t appear to intersect with the Antelope Valley Freeway.

Hopefully someone will clarify things soon.

This is, presumably, at least the 15th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

But even that is unclear right now.

Update: Now it makes a little more sense. 

The Antelope Valley Press reports the victim was killed on the Antelope Valley Freeway north of Lancaster. 

Not, as the earlier report indicate, near Gorman. Although I still can’t find the location on a map. 

And there’s still no word on how it happened, or whether the driver stuck around afterwards. 

 

 

 

Man killed riding bike Tuesday in Rancho Cucamonga collision; victim 63-year old San Bernardino man

For the past few days, word has been circulating that a bike rider was killed in Rancho Cucamonga earlier this week.

Sadly, we’ve now received official confirmation.

Jeffrey Rusk forwards a NIXLE notification from the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department reporting that a man riding a bicycle was killed in a collision Tuesday evening.

The crash occurred at 5:44 pm at Rochester Ave and Victoria Park Lane in Rancho Cucamonga.

According to the report, the victim was riding west on Victoria Park, when he apparently turned right onto Rochester Ave. He was struck by a driver headed north on Rochester.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

The driver, a 30-year old man from Rancho Cucamonga, remained at the scene.

The intersection is controlled with a traffic signal in every direction; the report makes no mention who had the right-of-way. However, I’m told witnesses say the pickup driver ran the read light, and hit the victim from behind.

The victim has not been publicly identified, but friends say he was 60-year old San Bernardino resident James Zoltan Williamson.

Rusk describes Williamson as a 63-year old teacher at Heritage Intermediate school. He says he was the “friendliest guy, and a beast on the bike.”

And adds poignantly, “I will miss him.”

Anyone with information is urged to call the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department, a division of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, at 909/477-2800; ask for Deputies B. Ogas or G. Coss Y Leon.

This is at least the 70th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.

He is also the third bike rider killed in Ranch Cucamonga since the end of June.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for James Zoltan Williamson and all his loved ones. 

Thanks to Jeffrey Rusk and CLR Effect’s Michael Wagner for the heads-up.

Update: 67-year old grandfather killed riding bike in Fullerton hit-and-run; 19th SoCal bike rider killed by hit-and-run drivers this year

Yet another heartless coward has left an innocent victim to die in the street.

Just because the victim was riding his bike to work, like he did every morning.

According to a press release from the Fullerton Police Department, a 67-year old man was riding his bike west on Chapman Ave approaching Ladera Vista Dr  when he was rear-ended by an unknown driver around 5:07 Thursday morning.

He was thrown into a planter on the north side of the street, suffering significant injuries; his bicycle was found a short distance away.

He was taken to a local trauma center, where he was pronounced dead. Family members identified the victim as Elfego Andrade.

A witness followed a green 1999 Ford F-250 pickup that was missing a tire and traveling on the rim, though it wasn’t clear if the driver was responsible for the hit-and-run.

He abandoned his truck nearly four miles away near Delphine Place and Jacaranda Place, and fled on foot. He is described as a Hispanic man approximately 5’8” tall, with a stocky build and wearing all black clothing.

Andrade was described as a great-grandfather, who had just celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary. He was riding his bike to his job in Fullerton when he was killed.

KNBC-4 reports he and his wife were planning to retire to Mexico, which will now never happen, thanks to a killer driver.

A crowdfunding page described him like this.

“He was a very happy man with the most humble heart. He was hard working and always did what he could for his family,” the fundraising page read. “We are heart broken for our believed husband, father, grandfather, father in law to leave us too soon.”

At the time of this writing, the crowdfunding campaign to help defray funeral expenses has raised just over $900 of the $15,000 goal.

Anyone with information is urged to call Fullerton Police Accident Investigator J. Manes at 714/738-6812 or email joshua.manes@fullertonpd.org.

This is at least the 59th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the twelfth that I’m aware of in Orange County.

Nineteen of those deaths have been hit-and-runs.

Update: The driver was arrested at the Fullerton police station late Thursday afternoon. 

Twenty-one-year old Anaheim resident Jonathan Ocampo was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run. He was being held on a half-million dollar bond. 

There’s no word on whether Ocampo was in fact driving the F-250 pickup followed by the witness. 

It’s possible that Ocampo did the right thing, heeding calls to turn himself in. Or he may have simply given himself enough time to sober up before taking responsibility for his actions. 

My deepest prayers and sympathy for Elfego Andrade and all his loved ones.

Thanks to Lois for the heads-up.

Update: 48-year old Riverside man riding bike killed in alleged drunken hit-and run; driver followed and arrested

Once again, a Southern California bike rider has been murdered by a drunken hit-and-run driver.

Allegedly.

According to My News LA, the driver fled the scene after running down the victim in Riverside Saturday night.

But for a change, the driver was captured a short time later.

The victim, identified only as a 48-year old Riverside man, was crossing Indiana Ave on La Sierra Ave on his bike when he was run down by a speeding driver traveling east on Indiana; there’s no word on what time the crash happened

He was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Witnesses followed the driver, who was arrested on suspicion of DUI. He was identified as a 40-year old man from Corona, but no name was given.

This is at least the 49th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of in Riverside County.

Sixteen of those deaths have been hit-and-runs.

Update: KCBS-2 puts the time of the crash as around 10:10 pm.

Update 2: The victim has been identified as Riverside resident Jerry Hodges. The driver has still not been identified. 

Update 3: The Riverside Police Department has identified the alleged driver as 40-year old Corona resident Jose Luis Cacho Jr. He was released on $75,000 bond after being booked on vehicular homicide, hit-and-run and DUI charges.

Cacho was also charged with violating probation on a previous DUI conviction. That raises the question of why he hasn’t been charged with murder, since he would have received a Watson notice informing him that would be possible if he killed someone while driving drunk anytime in the future. 

Maybe that’s a question we should ask Riverside County DA Michael Hestrin

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Jerry Hodges and his loved ones. 

Thanks to Accident News Now and Eric Lewis for the heads-up. 

Woman from Iowa killed riding bike on Joshua Tree highway, elderly driver not charged

Once again, authorities have apparently kept an elderly driver on the road until it was too late.

And a woman visiting from out of state paid the price.

According to KESQ-3, the victim, identified only as a 38-year old woman from Iowa, was riding on the shoulder of State Route 62 when she was rear-ended by an 80-year old woman in Joshua Tree Wednesday afternoon.

The crash occurred around 2:20 pm on SR62, also known as Twentynine Palms Highway, west of Rice Ave, when the driver made what police described as an unsafe turn onto the shoulder, striking the victim’s bicycle from behind.

She was taken to the Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree, where she was pronounced dead.

The driver was taken to the same hospital with minor injuries. Police do not suspect she was under the influence.

They did not, however, address whether the driver’s age may have played a role.

It’s hard to know when someone is too old to drive safely; the age varies from one person to another based on their own abilities.

But far too often, we find out someone shouldn’t be driving only after they kill someone.

The driver was identified by the CHP, though I won’t be naming her here unless charges are filed.

This is at least the 55th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.

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

 

Update: 32-year old bike rider killed in collision with Amtrak Surfliner in Oxnard; 6th SoCal bicycling death in less than 2 weeks

Another day, another ghost bike.

But at least this time there wasn’t a motorist involved.

Ventura talk radio station KVTA reports a man was killed when he was run down from behind by an Amtrak train while riding on the tracks in Oxnard Tuesday morning.

The victim, publicly identified only as a 32-year old Oxnard man, was reportedly riding north on the railroad tracks roughly 100 yards from the Oxnard Transportation Center when he was struck by a northbound train just after 11 am.

The Ventura County Star places the collision at 11:09 am, on the tracks at Fourth and Meta streets.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Oxnard Police Commander Luis McArthur, the engineer of Pacific Surfliner Train 763 sounded his horn several times and tried to stop, but couldn’t bring the train to a halt in time, despite witness statements that it was traveling at just 20-30 mph before the crash.

The victim made no effort to get out of the way as he rode with a hoody pulled over his head; however, there’s no evidence that he was wearing headphones or earbuds.

Which raises the question of why he wasn’t aware of the massive train bearing down on him. Let alone what he was doing on the tracks in the first place.

This is at least the 33rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in Ventura County, which exceeds the total for all of last year.

It’s also the sixth Southern California bike death that’s come to our attention in less than two weeks.

Update: The victim has been identified as 31-year old Oxnard resident Esau C. Castaneda.

Investigators have ruled out suicide as a cause of death, but still have no explanation why he didn’t hear the train approaching.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Esau C. Castaneda and his loved ones.