Tag Archive for San Diego County

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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

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. 

Update: 60-year old man dies after apparent solo bike crash in Del Mar

A man is dead after a bicycling crash. And this time, there doesn’t appear to be a driver involved.

According to multiple sources, a 60-year old man was found lying in the street after apparently falling off his bicycle in Del Mar Saturday morning.

Sheriff’s deputies found the victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, on the 1900 block of Jimmy Durante Blvd, just after 10 am.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

There’s no word on how long he may have been there before he was discovered.

Investigators say he appears to have lost control of his bicycle, and wasn’t involved in a collision.

However, there’s no word on why he may have lost control. It’s possible he could have struck a pothole or some sort of obstacle while riding at speed, lost a tire, or been the victim of a too-close pass — which would make it hit-and-run.

There’s also no word on whether he had a cycling computer or Strava account that could shed some light on what happened. So unless investigators find a witness or video of the crash, we may never know the cause.

Anyone with information is urged to call the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station Traffic Division at 760/966-3555.

This is at least the 43rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 11th that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: Longtime San Diego bike advocate Serge Issakov has forwarded a video with a possible explanation for the crash. 

Issakov reports the site is at the bottom of a descent with a typical 4% grade,  where road bicyclists typically reach speeds of 26 to 30 mph, while a KOM could be somewhere in the 40 mph range.

The typical car-ticker plastic bollards show clear signs of being run over more than once, and would likely have been virtually invisible under the typical Del Mar morning marine layer. Let alone if there was any fog or haze in the morning hour.

But even without hitting the post, cracks visible in the pavement could have easily destabilized the victim. Which could have been enough to send him into the curb or the grate in the gutter, and onto the sidewalk.

And at those speeds, it might not have mattered whether he was wearing a helmet.

All I can say, after watching that video, is I hope the victim’s family has a good lawyer.

If not, I can sure as hell recommend one.

Meanwhile, a comment from a woman calling herself the victim’s sister identifies him as Marcus Yepiz, though that has not yet been confirmed. 

70-year old man riding bicycle killed by 92-year old driver in San Diego collision, 10th San Diego County bike death this year

Enough, already.

For the third time in just the last five days, someone has been killed riding a bicycle in Southern California.

And this time, it’s clear there was nothing victim could have done to avoid it.

San Diego’s Fox 5 is reporting that a 70-year old man was killed when he was left-crossed by a 92-year old driver in the city’s Roseville/Fleet Ridge neighborhood Saturday afternoon.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding east on Evergreen Street at Cañon Street around 2:38 pm, when the woman turned left into his path. He hit her right rear door, and died after being taken to a local hospital.

The driver remained at the scene and was not injured.

A crash like this should raise the issue of how old is too old to drive. But sadly, it probably won’t.

Anyone with more information is urged to call the San Diego Police Department at 888/580-8477.

This is at least the 39th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the tenth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

That’s more than one every month.

Man on bike killed by pickup driver on SR-56 in San Diego’s Carmel Valley Ranch; 9th San Diego County bike death this year

A man was killed riding a bicycle in San Diego’s Carmel Mountain Ranch Wednesday morning.

Which is almost all we know right now.

Multiple sources are reporting the victim was struck by the driver of Dodge Ram pickup while crossing Interstate 15 on westbound State Route 56 around 9:25 am.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died after being taken to a local hospital with major injuries.

The 33-year old driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators; there’s no word on whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

There’s also no word on how the crash occurred, though given the location, it’s likely the victim was struck with the massive truck at highway speed.

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

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

52-year old man killed riding bicycle in Lakeside collision; 8th San Diego County bike death already this year

It’s been a bad first half of year for bicyclists in San Diego County.

And the second half isn’t starting any better.

Multiple sources are reporting that a man was killed riding a bicycle across a Lakeside highway Friday afternoon, just the latest in a toll that’s taken more than one life a month since the first of the year.

The victim, identified only as a 52-year old man, was crossing SR-67 on his bike, traveling west across the southbound lanes when he was struck by a 31-year old Lakeside man driving a small Chevrolet SUV.

The crash occurred around 3:45 pm Friday, at SR-67 north of Mapleview Street.

The victim died at the scene.

The driver remained following the crash, and police do not believe he was under the influence. However, there’s no explanation offered for why he was unable to avoid the victim as he crossed the road.

Hopefully, that will be explained going forward.

Anyone with information is urged to call Lakeside Police Officer Jared Grieshaber at 619/401-2000

This is at least the 27th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth that I’m aware of already this year in San Diego County.

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