These days, there’s a one-in-three chance a Southern California driver will flee the scene after a fatal crash involving someone on a bicycle.
Yesterday, a pair of Fullerton drivers changed those odds to 50/50.
According to the Fullerton Observer, a woman was killed while walking a bicycling in the eastbound lanes of W. Orangethorpe Ave at Jefferson Ave around 8 pm Monday.
The victim was walking in the left lane of the six lane roadway when she was truck, first by a 32-year old driver in a black Lexus, then by the driver of light-colored pickup truck. Only the first driver bothered to stick around afterwards.
The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died at the scene.
There’s no word on why she was walking in the left lane, although it’s possible she was just trying to cross the busy street.
This crash occurred just 2.3 miles from where another man was killed riding his bike on West Orangethorpe Ave and Campus Drive in April.
Anyone with information is urged to call Fullerton Police Traffic Accident Investigator Feaster at 714/738-6812, or via email jfeaster@fullertonpd.org. Anonymous tips can be sent to the Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855/TIP-OCCS.
This is at least the 54th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 11th that I’m aware of in Orange County.
Nineteen of those 54 deaths have involved hit-and-run drivers.
Update: Orange County bike advocate Bill Sellin forwards news that the victim was 49-year old Cassandra Lea Morris; no address was given.
One contributing factor is that crosswalks on the street are located half a mile apart, which would have meant going well out of her way if she was attempting to cross the street when she was killed.
Speed could have also been a factor on such a wide, straight street with limited traffic signals, which could easily have encouraged drivers to travel faster than the posted speed limit.
This post from northocbikes and mikeocbike offers more context.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Cassandra Lea Morris and her loved ones.
Thanks to Bill Sellin for his help in identifying the victim.
