Tag Archive for San Diego County

Update: 78-year old man riding a bicycle killed by driver on Coronado’s Silver Strand Tuesday afternoon; 23rd SoCal bike death this year

March 17, 2026 / / 2 comments

The luck of the Irish failed a man riding a bicycle in Coronado Tuesday afternoon.

And of course, there’s no explanation for how it happened.

Only what.

Multiple sources are reporting that a 78-year old man was killed when he was struck by a driver at Silver Strand Blvd and Tulagi Road around 1:30 pm.

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

And yes, the driver stayed and tried to aid the victim; police don’t suspect drug or alcohol use.

The crash reportedly occurred on the southbound section of the divided roadway, which suggests he may have been trying to turn left to get onto the two-way bike path on the northbound side.

Although there could be other explanations.

Whatever happened, anyone still riding a bicycle at that age deserved better.

This the 23rd bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the fifth in San Diego County.

Which means that someone has been killed riding a bicycle in Southern California every 3.3 days since the first of the year.

Update: The victim has been identified as 78-year old James Joseph Berta. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for James Joseph Berta and his loved ones. 

 

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

43-year old man dies after March 1 Clairemont, San Diego hit-and-run; SoCal bike rider killed every 3.4 days this year

March 14, 2026 / / No comments

As if the news couldn’t get any worse this week, now we’ve learned that yet another bike rider died after a San Diego hit-and-run earlier this month.

The victim’s sister announced the news by asking for help finding the driver.

Estefania Gallardo Bledsoe said her brother, 43-year old Clairemont resident Andrés Gallardo, was riding in the parking lane on Ashford Street around 11:30 pm on Sunday, March 1st, when the driver struck him from behind.

Fox 5 San Diego places the crash near Ashford and Hutton streets, though they apparently mean Ashford and Hatton.

Gallardo was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died, although it’s not clear just when he passed away.

The driver fled the scene.

Witnesses report hearing a loud collision, which suggests that speed may have been a factor. However, there’s no description of the driver or suspect vehicle at this time.

Bledsoe describes her brother as a happy, funny person, who worked in construction and loved soccer, cooking and his 16-year old son.

According to 10 News San Diego, she can’t understand how anyone could just leave him like that.

“If you do that, you have no heart and no soul. I don’t know how someone can go to bed at night and sleep, thinking about this,” Estefania said.

Despite her grief, Estefania said she is not giving up hope that someone will come forward with information.

“I still have hope. I believe good people are out there that know something. I’m not going to stop until I know who it was,” Estefania said.

We can hope.

A crowdfunding campaign to help defray funeral expenses and carry Gallardo’s ashes to his mother in West Virginia and his father in the Magallanes region of Chile has raised 65% of the approximately $4,000 goal.

This the 22nd bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the fourth in San Diego County.

That means a SoCal bike rider has been killed an average of every three-and-a-third days since the first of this awful year.

Seven of those deaths have now involved hit-and-run drivers.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Andrés Gallardo and his family and loved ones. 

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

Update: Man riding bicycle killed after allegedly running red light in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood early Tuesday

March 10, 2026 / / No comments

For the second time already this year, someone has been killed riding a bicycle in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood.

But at least this time, it wasn’t a little kid.

According to multiple sources, a man was killed after allegedly riding his bike in front of an oncoming car early Tuesday morning.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding south on Fanuel Street at Grand Ave shortly before 1 am, when he attempted to turn right onto Grand and was struck by the westbound driver.

He died at the scene.

There are sharrows on Grand, which could have given him an illusion of safety.

However, there’s no explanation at this time why he turned in front on the oncoming motorist, although it’s possible that he may have gone into the traffic lane to avoid parked cars in the residential neighborhood.

Police said that alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

Anyone with information is urged to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-888/580-8477; it’s not clear why they don’t want people to call the police directly.

This the 18th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the third in San Diego County.

Update: The victim has been identified as 60-year old Jamison Kimbrough. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Jamison Kimbrough and his loved ones.

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

52-year old man dies 19 days after February 10 ebike crash in Oceanside; 17th SoCal bike death already this year

March 3, 2026 / / No comments

Sigh.

A few weeks ago, we mentioned in passing that Oceanside police found a 52-year old man lying in the roadway next to an ebike after midnight, suffering from severe upper body injuries.

Today, we got the sad news that he didn’t make it.

According to The Coast News (scroll down), the victim, identified as Oceanside resident Scott Weiler, died 19 days after he was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

Apparently, Weiler somehow lost control of his ebike and crashed into a light pole near Coast Highway and Seagaze Drive sometime before 12:11 am on Wednesday, February 11th.

Although The Coast News oddly places the crash shortly after noon the day before.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on what kind of ebike Weiler was riding, so we don’t know if it was a ped-assist bike or an e-moto. But either way, his death is no less tragic.

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

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Scott Weiler and his loved ones.

 

Facebook post from the Oceanside Police Department

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: 6-year old boy riding bike with parents killed by hit-and-run driver in San Diego’s Pacific Beach; 32-year old woman arrested

January 18, 2026 / / One comment

Dear God, no.

For the third time in three days, someone has been killed riding a bicycle here in Southern California.

This time, it was just a little kid, murdered by a hit-and-run driver.

Multiple sources are reporting that a six-year old boy was killed when he was first hit, then run over by a woman while riding his bike in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood Saturday afternoon.

The victim, identified as Hudson Stephen O’Loughlin, was riding his bicycle with his parents on the sidewalk on the south side of Pacific Beach Drive around 3:44 pm, when he was right hooked by a driver as he crossed the alley at Ingraham Street.

The driver was turning right off Pacific Beach into the alley when she struck the boy, knocking him off his bike. She paused briefly without exiting her car, then accelerated south down the alley, running over Hudson as he lay on the ground in front of her car.

He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver, identified only as a 32-year old woman, was taken into custody after police located her car in National City.

Investigators said alcohol was not a factor in the crash, which does not make it better.

Especially considering that the boy might still be alive if she had just gotten out of her car and seen him there. Or even backed up instead of speeding forward.

Even worse, it’s likely that both his parents witnessed the crash that killed their son, according to 10 News San Diego.

Hudson’s mother, Juliana Kapovich, described her son over the phone as everything she could imagine – a fearless, confident child who was full of life. She said he loved his brother and science.

Kapovich said she and Hudson’s father were with him when he was riding his bike Saturday. Police say Hudson was hit and then run over by a car turning into a nearby alley.

A crowdfunding campaign describes the boy as a bright light taken too soon.

Hudson was a bright, curious child who loved all things science, and his energy was contagious. He filled every room with his spirit and had a passion for BMX, cycling, swimming, skating, and building with Legos. Whether he was racing on his bike, splashing in the pool, or creating new Lego masterpieces, Hudson’s adventurous and creative nature inspired everyone around him. Hudson attended school in North Park where he made many friends and touched countless lives. Hudson dreamed of becoming a military scientist one day, and his love for learning was matched only by his love for his family. In his short life, he brought so much joy, kindness, and wonder to everyone he met. One of the sweetest memories his mom holds close is how, as soon as the sun came up, Hudson would come into her room to ask for cuddles. Those quiet, loving moments were a daily reminder of the deep bond they shared.

As of this time, the page has raised more than $35,000 of the $100,000 goal.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the San Diego Police Department Traffic Division or Crime Stoppers at 888/580-8477.

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

There’s just no excuse.

Update: The driver has been identified as 32-year-old Tiffany Sanchez. She was booked on charges of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run.

However, San Diego’s NBC7 reports Sanchez did not appear to be in police custody Monday, and it wasn’t clear if she had posted bail was posted or been released.

Fox 5 San Diego quotes Hudson’s father, Matthew O’Loughlin, describing how the crash happened. 

“My son is behind me, my other son and wife are about 10 feet behind us,” Matthew described. “No cars, I cross over, I’m fine…I look back to check on him and the lady just runs him over.”

He said his instinct was to capture the driver’s license plate…

“She ran him over taking off with no disregard for anybody, you wouldn’t even do that to an animal, she just left him die on the street,” Matthew said. “She just left.”

The UK’s Daily Mail offers a few more details about the crash. 

David Morrow, who was driving behind the woman at the time, recalled seeing her ‘cut right into the alley’ before running Hudson over ‘twice,’ he told the outlet.

‘Like, both wheels ran over the kid. She stopped right in front for about ten seconds. That’s when I pulled behind her and got her license number, and then she took off,’ Morrow added.

He noted that a bystander, who was possibly a paramedic, jumped in to help Hudson.

‘He got up at first and was standing there all in pain, and then they laid him down, and he stopped breathing right in front of me,’ Morrow said of Hudson. ‘It was sad, and then I left.’

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Hudson Stephen O’Loughlin and his loved ones. 

Photos from Go Fund Me page

 

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

Update: 60-year old man killed riding bike in San Diego’s Rancho Peñasquitos; 2nd San Diego County bicycling death in 4 days

December 11, 2025 / / Comments Off on Update: 60-year old man killed riding bike in San Diego’s Rancho Peñasquitos; 2nd San Diego County bicycling death in 4 days

Evidently, things aren’t going well in San Diego County these days.

Just days after a man was killed riding his bicycle in Oceanside, another bike rider was killed in San Diego’s Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhood.

Multiple sources are reporting that the victim was killed when he was rear-ended while riding in the 12900 block of Salmon River Road around 5:35 pm Wednesday.

The victim, identified only as a 60-year old man, was riding north on Salmon River Road when a 51-year old woman traveling in the same direction hit him from behind, saying she just didn’t see him.

He died at the scene.

There’s no word on why the driver failed to see a grown man on a bicycle directly in front of her, although police said she did not appear to be under the influence.

Investigators were looking into whether visibility or road conditions played a role in the crash. However, a street view shows a straight roadway with no obstructions, and the weather was hot and dry, though it was foggy in some coastal areas.

Local residents complained about a lack of speed limit signs in the area, so there’s no telling how fast the woman was driving.

Anyone with information was urged to call the police or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477; apparently, the cops didn’t really want to be bothered by giving own phone number.

This is at least the 55th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 14th that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: The victim has been identified as 60-year old San Diego resident Yi Zhang.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Yi Zhang and his loved ones. 

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

52-year old man riding bicycle killed in Oceanside collision Saturday night; driver remained at the scene

December 10, 2025 / / Comments Off on 52-year old man riding bicycle killed in Oceanside collision Saturday night; driver remained at the scene

A man riding a bicycle was killed in Oceanside on Saturday.

And every single news report got the story wrong. Because the victim wasn’t struck by an SUV.

He was hit and killed by someone driving one.

According to multiple sources, the 52-year old man was struck by the driver around 10:42 pm Saturday at 314 South Harbor Drive, near the Oceanside Harbor.

The victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, was airlifted to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla suffering from a severe head injury, as well as a compound fracture of his upper thigh.

He was pronounced dead after arriving.

The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, who don’t suspect drug or alcohol use played a role in crash.

There’s no information at this time on how the collision occurred, or if the victim was wearing a helmet. This is one of the few times when that might have mattered, since we know he suffered a head injury, although we don’t know if that was his cause of death.

Anyone with information is urged to call Traffic Investigator Gomez of the Oceanside Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team at 760/435-4952.

This is at least the 54th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 13th 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: , , ,

Update: 72-year old man dies in fall from bike, attempting to avoid child riding scooter on San Luis Rey River Trail in Oceanside

November 23, 2025 / / 3 comments

For once, it mattered that a victim was wearing a bike helmet.

But sadly, it didn’t make a difference this time.

Because a 72-year old man died after suffering a head injury in a fall off his bicycle, while swerving to avoid someone on a scooter in Oceanside Sunday morning.

A seven-year old child.

The victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, was riding with a companion when they caught up to a family headed in the same direction, San Luis Rey River Trail near Mance Buchanon Park, around 10:40 am.

The child on the scooter “unintentionally veered” into the victim’s path as they were trying to pass, causing him to fall. Despite wearing a helmet, the man suffered a head injury.

Relatively slow speed falls like that are exactly what bike helmets are designed to protect against, but this time, it didn’t seem to help.

The victim was taken by ambulance to a nearby fire station, but died before he could be airlifted to a hospital, despite the efforts of first responders.

Apparently the child was unharmed. Physically, anyway.

This is at least the 52nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 12th that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: NBC San Diego says the seven-year old scooter rider was a girl. 

My deepest sympathy for the victim and his loved ones. 

 

 

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

Update: 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 / / 4 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.

Update: I want to elevate this comment from Juan, which deserves to be part of the story.

I knew Eugenio very well, in fact wife and visited his family at a tiny village in Oaxca, San Miguel community. He supported his family, he was a clean honest person. He worked for us for many years something like 15 or so, he should up rain or not every Saturday, on Tuesdays he worked next door. I would send money to his family on his request. I would buy things for his bike (tires, lites etc.). I never charged him.

I’m the authorized person that his family wants me to represent, he is still at the coroners office under John Doe till verified identity by DNA. As of today no updates on when he will be released to me for further processing via a local funeral home. But the nasty thing is the CHP is blaming him for not wearing a helmet. I have pictures showing the scattering of bike, phone and back pack all over the street and front shield smashed on the drivers side. don’t look good. I think CHP is way off.

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: , , ,
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