Tag Archive for San Diego County

58-year old man killed riding bicycle in El Cajon crash, CHP blames the victim; 11th bike death in San Diego County this year

October 15, 2025 / / 3 comments

A man was killed riding a bicycle in El Cajon Tuesday afternoon.

Yet despite saying the crash is still under investigation, the California Highway Patrol seemed to put the blame on him.

According to San Diego‘s Fox5, the victim was riding north on Blossom Valley Road at Quail Canyon Road, when he was struck by the driver of a Mercedes around 3:52 pm.

The victim, identified only as a 58-year old man, apparently died at the scene. He was reportedly riding a Centurion bicycle, which went out of production in the US at the turn of the century.

The CHP alleges the man “entered the intersection in front of the Mercedes, for reasons still under investigation.”

Which could mean almost anything.

The three-way intersection is controlled only with a stop sign on the base of a hill on Blossom Valley, while there appear to be bike lanes on both Blossom Valley and Quail Canyon.

The CHP also notes that the victim wasn’t wearing a helmet, even though there’s no suggestion that he died of a head injury, or that the crash would have been survivable with or without one.

And they added this comment, clearly implying the victim was at fault.

“We want to remind the public that cyclists must follow the same rules as motorists,” said Cpt. Monteagudo with CHP. “By obeying traffic laws and staying alert, cyclists can protect themselves and others, reducing the risk of serious crashes. Safety on our roads is everyone’s responsibility; let’s ride smart and share the road safely.”

However, there’s no word on where either party was positioned in the intersection.

It’s possible that the driver could have been turning left onto Blossom Valley from southbound Quail Canyon, or she could have been headed south on Blossom Valley and either gone straight, or turned right onto Quail Canyon.

Or she could have been traveling north on Blossom Valley, and somehow rear-ended the victim.

According to the CHP, the driver, who suffered minor injuries in the collision, was not under the influence at the time of the crash.

There’s also no word on whether the victim might have drifted into the traffic lane or turned left onto Quail Canyon in front of the driver. Or he could have been riding against traffic on the wrong side of the roadway.

Which is exactly the problem.

We have no way of knowing what actually happened, or who may have been at fault for this crash.

But that doesn’t seem to keep the CHP from pointing the finger.

(The San Diego Union-Tribune also reported on this story, which could explain more. But their story is hidden behind a paywall for subscribers only.)

This is at least the 47th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 11th that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones. 

Thanks to BikinginLA sponsor Richard Duquette for the heads-up. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: 35-year old man riding a bicycle killed by Lemon Grove driver Sunday, no word on how the crash happened

October 7, 2025 / / 5 comments

This is getting very old.

Because for the eighth time in the last 30 days, someone has been killed riding a bicycle in Southern California.

This time in Lemon Grove.

According to a press release from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the victim was struck by the driver of a Chevy Silverado pickup on the 8500 block of Troy Street a little before 9:30 Sunday night.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was lying in the eastbound lanes of Troy, just east of the intersection with Camino De Las Palmas, when deputies arrived.

They were treated at the scene before being taken to a local hospital, where the victim died just before 10:30 pm.

There’s no word at this time how the crash occurred. However, the driver remained at the scene, and deputies don’t suspect them of DUI or reckless driving.

Which would seem to suggest they blame the victim, even though they say the crash is still under investigation.

Or maybe it was just another “oopsie.”

There is a bike lane in both directions on Troy Street, with the three-way intersection controlled only by a stop sign on Camino De Las Palmas. The position of the victim just east of Camino De Las Palmas implies the crash may have occurred either at or shortly after the intersection.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Lemon Grove Substation of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department at 619/337-2000.

This is at least the 46th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the tenth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: The victim has been identified as 35-year old San Diego resident Marco Quintero. He died shortly after being taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Marco Quintero and his loved ones. 

 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: One person killed and 2nd injured when two bike riders collided on San Diego’s Lake Murray Bike Path Friday morning

September 19, 2025 / / 3 comments

Sometimes the danger doesn’t come from drivers.

Or even on the roadway.

That was the case in San Diego Friday, when one person was killed and another injured riding on the bike path at the city’s Lake Murray around 7:25 am.

According to multiple sources, the two bicyclists collided head-on while reportedly exceeding the posted 10 mph speed limit.

One victim died at the scene, while the other was hospitalized.

There’s no word on exactly where on the trail around Lake Murray that the crash occurred, but people who know the trail say there are a number of blind curves where you wouldn’t see someone coming from the opposite direction.

There’s also no information yet on the identity of either victim, or the condition of the survivor.

This is at least the 42nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: The victim has been identified as 68-year old El Cajon resident David Engler.

Authorities say he was not wearing a helmet, but while the medical examiner’s report says he died of blunt force trauma, it does not indicate whether he suffered a head injury. 

The other victim was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for David Engler and his loved one.

And best wishes for a full and fast recovery for the surviving victim. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , ,

Someone riding bicycle killed by alleged DUI hit-and-run driver in Carlsbad crash early Saturday morning

September 13, 2025 / / One comment

Someone riding a bicycle was killed in a pre-dawn crash in Carlsbad Saturday.

And while we don’t know anything about the victim, we do have an ID on the alleged drunken coward accused of killing them.

According to multiple reports, the victim was struck by the driver while riding on the 4400 block Carlsbad Blvd, between Tamarack Ave and Cannon Road, around 4:34 am Saturday.

The victim was already dead when police arrived; there’s no word at this time on how the crash occurred.

The driver, identified as 27-year old Escondido resident Alexander Gendron, was tracked down about a mile away, with police relying on witnesses, license plate readers and a drone to find him.

He was booked on suspicion of leaving the scene of a collision resulting in injury or death, DUI causing injury or death, and vehicular manslaughter. That could be upgraded to murder if there is a previous DUI on his record.

There is a painted bike lane on both sides of Carlsbad Blvd, which runs north and south along the beach.

Given the hour, the victim could have been homeless, or someone riding to or from work. Or it could have been someone just out for an early morning ride.

Anyone with information is urged to call Traffic Accident Investigator Cpl. Matt Bowen of the Carlsbad Police Department at 442/339-2282.

This is at least the 41st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

This was also the 13th bike rider killed by a hit-and-run driver in Southern California since the first of the year

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and all their loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,

Man on bicycle killed by driver while riding on I-5 in National City; 7th SoCal bike rider killed in last 15 days

August 6, 2025 / / One comment

For God’s sake, make it stop, already.

For the seventh time in just over two weeks, someone riding a bicycle has been killed on the mean streets of Southern California.

Or a freeway, in this case.

According to multiple sources, a man on a bicycle was killed when he was struck by a driver while riding on southbound Interstate 5 in National City around 1 am Wednesday.

The Times of San Diego places the location near the mouth of the Sweetwater River, while other sources locate it near the Mile of Cars.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died at the scene.

The driver remained following the crash, and cooperated with investigators. Police do not believe that person was under the influence, while a toxicology report for the victim is pending.

There’s no word at this time whether the victim was riding in the traffic lanes or on the shoulder of the freeway. There’s also no information on why he was on the freeway, or whether it is legal in that area; generally, bicycles are prohibited from limited access highways in California if there is an alternate route, which would seem to be the case here.

Anyone with information is urged to call the CHP San Diego Area at 858/293-6000.

This is at least the 32nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the seventh that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Ebike rider killed by San Diego MTS Blue Line trolley in Chula Vista early Monday afternoon

August 4, 2025 / / 2 comments

The deadly toll affecting bike riders on Southern California streets continued in Chula Vista Monday afternoon.

Although this time, the killer wasn’t in a mobile vehicle.

It was a San Diego trolley.

According to multiple sources, the victim was riding an ebike across the Blue Line tracks near Moss Street and Industrial Blvd, when they were struck by the operator of a northbound trolley operated by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, or MTS, around 12:44 pm.

According to a witness, the victim was thrown “at least” seven or eight feet into the air by the impact of the crash. Afterwards, investigators focused on what appeared to be a backpack worn by the victim, as well as the shattered pieces of the bike.

There’s no word at this time about the identity of the victim, or whether the crossing gates were working at the time of the crash.

As the witness, Caleb Reyes, told San Diego’s NBC7, always look both ways before crossing any kind of street, pathway or railroad track.

And never, ever ignore railroad warning signals or ride around lowered crossing gates, regardless of whether you think the train has stopped or the danger has passed.

Because there’s a good chance you might be wrong.

This is at least the 30th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and their loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Man killed riding bicycle across Escondido roadway, fifth bicycling death in San Diego County this year

June 8, 2025 / / One comment

A man was killed riding a bicycle in Escondido Saturday night.

Which is almost all we know right now.

According to the Escondido Police Department, the victim was crossing East Valley Parkway, approximately 100 feet west of Ash Street, around 9:10 pm last night, when he was struck by the driver of a Honda Accord traveling west on Valley Parkway.

The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, who don’t suspect the driver was under the influence.

Unfortunately, that’s all the information we have at this time. Nothing on how or why the crash happened, or anything else about the victim.

There’s also no word on why the victim was crossing the road. However, there are a number of fast food restaurants located on either side of the block that he could have crossing to or from.

Hopefully we’ll learn more soon.

Anyone with information is urged to call Escondido Police Officer Adam Ayres at 760/839-4714.

This is at least the 17th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

50-year old man killed in apparent mountain biking fall in San Diego’s Mission Trails Regional Park

May 20, 2025 / / Comments Off on 50-year old man killed in apparent mountain biking fall in San Diego’s Mission Trails Regional Park

Tragic news from San Diego, where a 50-year old man died after apparently falling on a mountain bike trail in Mission Trails Regional Park.

According to San Diego’s 10 News, the victim, who hasn’t been publicly named, was discovered by a married couple lying badly injured near the Mission Trails Rim Trailhead around 6:32 pm Monday.

He was bleeding from the nose and mouth when the woman, identified as Claire Viriyavong, moved his hand to perform CPR.

But despite their efforts, and the efforts of first responders, he was declared dead before being moved from the trail.

He was found near a rock, and an SDFD battalion chief said he appeared to have landed face down, suffered traumatic injuries despite wearing a helmet and other protective gear.

Which is yet another sad reminder that nothing offers complete protection.

This is at least the 15th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,

45-year old bike rider Marcos Perez Domingo died two days after Encinitas collision on New Years Day

February 15, 2025 / / Comments Off on 45-year old bike rider Marcos Perez Domingo died two days after Encinitas collision on New Years Day

As long as we’re doing this tonight, we can add another name to the list.

About a few days ago, I learned that a man had died after he was hit by a driver while riding a bicycle in Encinitas.

According to The Coast News, 45-year old Encinitas resident Marcos Perez Domingo was struck while riding at Encinitas Blvd and Valley Park Way around 6 pm on January 1st.

That address doesn’t seem to exist, however, they may mean Encinitas Blvd and Village Park Way.

Domingo died two days later after being taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to learn any more the crash. And no, I don’t know why the news of Domingo’s death didn’t surface earlier.

This was at least the sixth bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Marcos Perez Domingo and all his loved ones. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: Man riding bicycle killed by driver in San Diego’s Black Mountain Ranch; eighth SoCal bike death this month

November 23, 2024 / / One comment

This month just continues to go from bad to worse.

Multiple sources are reporting that a man was killed when he was apparently struck from behind by a driver as he was riding his bike in San Diego’s Black Mountain Ranch.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding in the bike lane on Camino Del Sur at Casey Glen around 6:50 pm Saturday, when a 50-year old woman headed west on Camino Del Sur drove into the bike lane shortly after crossing Casey Glen.

He died at the scene.

Police say alcohol was not a factor in the crash. However, there’s no word on why the driver went into the bike lane, whether she was distracted, or how fast she was going at the time of the crash.

Anyone with information is urged to call the San Diego Police Department at 858/495-7800, or cal Crime Stoppers at 888/580-8477.

This is at least the 53rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 12th that I’m aware of in San Diego County; it’s also the eighth in just the last 18 days.

The victim has been identified as 60-year old San Diego resident James Osmus.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for James Osmus and all his loved ones. 

Thanks to Phillip Young for the heads-up. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,
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