Evidently, it takes awhile for news to filter out of the Inland Empire.
Word is just coming out that a 76-year old bike rider was killed in a collision in Yucaipa on Sunday, when he reportedly turned in front of an oncoming car.
According to the San Bernardino Sun, Yucaipa resident Julian Rodriguez was riding his bike on the right shoulder of 7th Street south of Parkside Lane around 3:30 pm when he suddenly turned left in front of a car driven by a 56-year old driver, also from Yucaipa.
No reason is given for why he would have turned without warning, or why he didn’t look for oncoming traffic before turning.
There’s also no word on whether that alleged turn was observed by anyone other than the driver who hit him.
Despite the report, a street view shows no shoulder on 7th Street. It’s possible Rodriguez may have had to turn to go around a parked car or a pothole. Or that the driver drifted to the right, or didn’t see him until it was too late.
Without an independent witness, there’s no way of knowing what really happened.
The paper also reports that Rodriguez wasn’t wearing a helmet, but doesn’t say whether he suffered a head injury or how fast the car was going; it’s entirely possible that a helmet wouldn’t have made any difference.
This is the 77th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 9th in San Bernardino County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Julian Rodriguez and all his loved ones.
