It just keeps coming.
For the sixth time in just seven days, someone has been killed riding a bicycle on the mean streets of Southern California.
And this time, the killer was an on-duty Riverside County Sheriff’s deputy in a marked patrol car.
Multiple sources are reporting that the victim, identified as 33-year old Palm Desert resident Christopher Thomas, was struck by the deputy around 3:40 am near the intersection of Country Club and Eldorado drives in Palm Desert.
Thomas died at the scene just seven minutes later, despite the efforts of deputies to revive him.
The deputy was not responding to a call, or using red lights and siren. The investigation has been taking over by the CHP.
Unfortunately, that’s all we know at this time.
Let’s just hope it’s not another case of a deputy distracted by his onboard computer.
This is at least the 41st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth that I’m aware of in Riverside County.
It’s also the second person killed riding a bike in the county in the past week.
My deepest prayers and sympathy for Christopher Thomas and his loved ones.
Thanks to Jeffrey Rusk for the heads-up.
