More bad news leading into what should be a happy weekend.
The Simi Valley Police Department is reporting that a woman was killed in a collision while riding her bike Thursday afternoon.
According to a press release from the department, the victim, identified only as a 45-year old Simi Valley resident, was struck by a driver at Fitzgerald Road and Erringer Road around 1:46 pm yesterday.
She riding west in the crosswalk on the eastbound side of Fitzgerald, when she was struck by a driver traveling south on Erringer.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
It’s important to note that bicycles are allowed in crosswalks in California, and that all crosswalks are bidirectional.
The intersection is controlled with a four-way stop; there’s no word on whether one or both people properly observed the stop and right-of-way.
Simi Valley police investigators report neither party appeared to be impaired.
Anyone with information is urged to call Simi Valley Traffic Collision Investigator Eric Cooke at 805/583-6185, or email ecooke@simivalley.org.
This is at least the 73rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in Ventura County.
There have been reports of at least two other deaths in this week in the Los Angeles area that remain unconfirmed.
Update: The victim has been identified as 45-year old Simi Valley resident Patricia Cooper.
The vehicle the driver struck her with was a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, an oversized SUV with a high, flat grill virtually designed to kill.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Patricia Cooper and her loved ones.
Thanks to Linda Righetti for the heads-up.
