Yet another Southern California bike rider has fallen victim to a drunk or stoned driver.
Allegedly.
According to the Daily Pilot, 62-year old Garden Grove resident Phong Khuu was killed by a U-turning driver while crossing the street just north of Square Mile Park in Fountain Valley early Tuesday morning.
The driver, identified as 43-year old Scott McDonough of Fountain Valley, was traveling north on Los Coches Street around 4:30 am when he made a U-turn at Sunn Avenue, and slammed into Khuu as he was crossing Los Coches on his bicycle.
He died at the scene.
McDonough remained after the crash, and was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing injury, and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. At last report, he was being held on $100,000 bond pending yesterday’s arraignment.
Fountain Valley Police Chief Matt Sheppard reports the department makes an average of 15 to 20 DUI busts each month.
Which is about 15 to 20 too many.
Anyone with information is urged to call the traffic bureau of the Fountain Valley Police Department at 714/593-4481.
This is at least the 74th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 16th that I’m aware of in Orange County.
That’s one more than in 2020, which was the county’s worst year in recent memory.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Phong Khuu and all his family and loved ones.
Thanks to bike lawyer Richard Duquette for the heads-up.
