This is the news no one wanted during the holiday season.
According to the LA Daily News, 48-year old Woodland Hills resident Matthew Dale Barnett was killed as he was riding his bike with another rider in the Lake Balboa area Wednesday evening.
Barnett and the other victim, who was not publicly identified, were riding north on the 7100 block of Hayvenhurst Ave, south of Sherman Way, when they both were struck from behind by the driver of an SUV around 6:30 pm.
Barnett was pronounced dead at the scene; the other rider was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver, who was not even mentioned in the Daily News story, remained at the scene. Police were unsure if drugs or alcohol were involved, and no word on whether the driver may have been distracted.
No arrest was made at the scene.
A street view shows Hayvenhurst has two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane, and parking on either side. The street would have likely been busy at that hour.
Anyone with information is urged to contact LAPD Detective Bill Bustos at 818/644-8021.
This is the 62nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 28th in Los Angeles County. Barnett’s death is the ninth in the City of LA since the first of the year.
And hopefully, the last.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Matthew Barnett and loved ones.
