One of my policies on this site is not to report a bicycling fatality without some sort of confirmation.
Which means you many never hear about some of the tragedies that pass through my inbox. But I’d rather keep some bad news under wraps than risk injuring friends and family of a reported victim by reporting a story that may not turn out to be true.
So when I received a report on Thursday that a Glendora rider had died of injuries he suffered earlier this week, I reached out to various sources who might be able to verify the facts.
Sadly, that confirmation came today, in a news story from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
The paper had reported earlier this week that a 79-year old rider was critically injured in a left cross collision in Glendora on Monday.
He was riding west on Foothill Blvd at Elwood Ave around 2:30 pm Monday when a driver headed in the opposite direction turned across his path, forcing him into the passenger side of the vehicle. He was revived by police officers, who found him with no pulse and not breathing when they arrived.
He was stabilized by LA County firefighters, and taken to the ICU unit at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital.
Then on Thursday, a comment from Trish said he had been disconnected from life support and died on Wednesday.
That 79 yr old cyclist in Glendora was my son-in-law’s father. He cycled every day and then would come home and walk his dog. He was in excellent health and very fit. Sadly, he was removed from life support yesterday, and passed away shortly thereafter. Sure with drivers would look before they make left hand turns….really look, not just for cars!
Today’s story in the Tribune identified the victim as 78-year old Francisco Alvarez of Glendora.
The 86-year old driver who hit him stayed on the scene and cooperated with investigators. While the case is still under investigation, the paper reports no criminal behavior was suspected — despite the obvious failure to observe right of way and make a safe turn, resulting in the death of an innocent person.
Maybe this will go down as just another “oops,” excused by the age and, presumably, declining skills of the driver.
This is the 10th confirmed bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth in Los Angeles County.
My deepest prayers and sympathy for Francisco Alvarez and all his family.
Thanks to Trish for the bad news.
