A man was killed riding a bicycle in El Cajon Tuesday afternoon.
Yet despite saying the crash is still under investigation, the California Highway Patrol seemed to put the blame on him.
According to San Diego‘s Fox5, the victim was riding north on Blossom Valley Road at Quail Canyon Road, when he was struck by the driver of a Mercedes around 3:52 pm.
The victim, identified only as a 58-year old man, apparently died at the scene. He was reportedly riding a Centurion bicycle, which went out of production in the US at the turn of the century.
The CHP alleges the man “entered the intersection in front of the Mercedes, for reasons still under investigation.”
Which could mean almost anything.
The three-way intersection is controlled only with a stop sign on the base of a hill on Blossom Valley, while there appear to be bike lanes on both Blossom Valley and Quail Canyon.
The CHP also notes that the victim wasn’t wearing a helmet, even though there’s no suggestion that he died of a head injury, or that the crash would have been survivable with or without one.
And they added this comment, clearly implying the victim was at fault.
“We want to remind the public that cyclists must follow the same rules as motorists,” said Cpt. Monteagudo with CHP. “By obeying traffic laws and staying alert, cyclists can protect themselves and others, reducing the risk of serious crashes. Safety on our roads is everyone’s responsibility; let’s ride smart and share the road safely.”
However, there’s no word on where either party was positioned in the intersection.
It’s possible that the driver could have been turning left onto Blossom Valley from southbound Quail Canyon, or she could have been headed south on Blossom Valley and either gone straight, or turned right onto Quail Canyon.
Or she could have been traveling north on Blossom Valley, and somehow rear-ended the victim.
According to the CHP, the driver, who suffered minor injuries in the collision, was not under the influence at the time of the crash.
There’s also no word on whether the victim might have drifted into the traffic lane or turned left onto Quail Canyon in front of the driver. Or he could have been riding against traffic on the wrong side of the roadway.
Which is exactly the problem.
We have no way of knowing what actually happened, or who may have been at fault for this crash.
But that doesn’t seem to keep the CHP from pointing the finger.
(The San Diego Union-Tribune also reported on this story, which could explain more. But their story is hidden behind a paywall for subscribers only.)
This is at least the 47th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 11th that I’m aware of in San Diego County.
Update: I want to elevate this comment from Juan, which deserves to be part of the story.
I knew Eugenio very well, in fact wife and visited his family at a tiny village in Oaxca, San Miguel community. He supported his family, he was a clean honest person. He worked for us for many years something like 15 or so, he should up rain or not every Saturday, on Tuesdays he worked next door. I would send money to his family on his request. I would buy things for his bike (tires, lites etc.). I never charged him.
I’m the authorized person that his family wants me to represent, he is still at the coroners office under John Doe till verified identity by DNA. As of today no updates on when he will be released to me for further processing via a local funeral home. But the nasty thing is the CHP is blaming him for not wearing a helmet. I have pictures showing the scattering of bike, phone and back pack all over the street and front shield smashed on the drivers side. don’t look good. I think CHP is way off.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.
Thanks to BikinginLA sponsor Richard Duquette for the heads-up.
