It looks like LA’s recent epidemic of bicycling deaths has moved south.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a man on a road bike was killed when a driver drifted off the road, and lost control on the soft shoulder of a highway just outside El Cajon.
The crash occurred around 3:15 pm on Olde Highway 80 west of Flinn Crest Street.
The 67-year old driver reportedly sideswiped the victim, identified only as a 58-year old Alpine resident, before continuing to strike a bus stop sign, mailbox and a parked pickup truck.
The victim was taken to San Diego’s Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Video from the scene posted by San Diego’s KGTV-10 shows a badly mangled bike, and the driver’s minivan with the front end smashed in.
A 58 year old bicyclist is in serious condition after a van veered onto the shoulder of Olde Hwy 80 in El Cajon and hit him as well as a parked truck. As you can see, there is significant damage to the van and the bicycle. Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor @10News pic.twitter.com/q5vzqC2tqH
— Zach Wonderlie (@PhotogZach) April 18, 2018
This is at least the 19th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third in San Diego County.
Update: The victim has been identified as 58-year old Brian Jennings, a professor of comparative politics and U.S. Government at Grossmont College.
Police believe the driver of the minivan fell asleep before drifting off the road and slamming into Jennings.
Update 2: I originally said the victim was riding a mountain bike, based on the initial reports; however, the video above clearly shows a road bike. Thanks to BV for the correction.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Brian Jennings and his loved ones.
