Tag Archive for San Diego County

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. 

Update: Man killed riding bicycle on I-805 in Chula Vista last week; victim identified as 66-year old Victor Keith Fields

Once again, someone has been killed riding a bicycle on a Southern California freeway.

This time on the 805 in Chula Vista last week.

According to San Diego’s Fox 5, 66-year old Victor Keith Fields was riding on the shoulder of southbound I-805 around 7:40 pm on Wednesday, May 29th.

As he was approaching or exiting onto the Palm Ave offramp, the driver of a Toyota sedan swerved to the right without explanation and slammed into him — most likely striking Fields at freeway speeds.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

There’s no word on whether the driver was ticketed or charged. And as with other similar cases, there’s no information on why Fields was riding on the freeway.

This is at least the 21st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

Update: A comment below from Ron Hidinger explains why Fields was riding on the freeway. He also points out that a bike path was supposed to be built parallel to the 805, but no work has started on it. 

I have the answer why the deceased was riding on the freeway shoulder. The section of I805 from Main St to Palm Ave is marked with signage allowing bicycles. Or at least it was, I haven’t been that way in a while. The reason is that there is no way to bike from Chula Vista to South San Diego without using the 805 without going way around. The toll road 125 is similarly marked.
I preferred the north bound side as it was relatively safer. The south bound exit at Palm is a typically chaotic, car centric CALTRANS design seemingly designed to imperil cyclists and pedestrians regardless of whether they’re on the ramp or not.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Victor Keith Fields and all his loved ones. 

National City teen dies 2 days after he was struck by a driver while biking to school — and just days before his graduation

Heartbreaking news from National City, where a teenaged boy died two days after he was struck by a driver while riding his bike.

And just one day after his 18th birthday.

Edgar Burciaga was riding his bike to school Tuesday morning when he was severely injured in a collision at J Ave and East 18th Street in National City.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on how or when the crash occurred. His mother was informed by police around 10 am on the morning of the crash.

His family gathered around Edgar’s bed on Wednesday to celebrate his birthday — a day after he was rushed into surgery, and one day before he was declared brain dead.

They gathered again yesterday to celebrate Edgar’s high school graduation, before his body was wheeled into an operating room to donate his organs.

This is how San Diego’s NBC-7 describes it.

His family said Edgar was bigger than life and he always had a heart for others.

“That’s why his father and I decided he was the perfect candidate to donate his organs to those who are in a critical health condition,” she said.

Edgar was a son, brother, and a senior at Sweetwater High School in National City. He was expected to graduate next week.

“I feel very proud of him, his life, and everything that he was,” said Rutilio de Haro, Edgar’s father.

There will be an empty seat at his high school graduation, but others will go home to their families thanks to his family’s generosity.

The driver remained at the scene; there’s no word on whether they were charged or ticketed.

This is at least the 20th 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 Edgar Burciaga and all his loved ones. 

Oceanside man dies in hospital, nearly a month after he was struck by a driver while riding ebike

Too often, we never hear what happens after a victim is hospitalized following a crash.

The rare times we do, the news usually isn’t good.

That’s was the case today, when we learned an Oceanside man died nearly a month after he was hit by a driver in a pre-dawn crash.

According to a report from City News Service, 56-year old Oceanside resident Kevin Cerv died on Friday, 24 days after he hospitalized with severe head and neck trauma.

Cerv was riding his ebike at Corporate Centre Drive and Ocean Ranch Blvd in Oceanside when the driver struck him shortly before 4 am on Tuesday, April 9th.

There’s no description of how the crash occurred, or which way Cerv was riding. There’s also no word on whether the driver, who has not been identified, was ticketed or charged, or if the crash is still being investigated.

Nor is there any reason at this time to believe that the type of bike he was riding contributed to the crash.

This is at least the 18th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in San Diego County. It’s also the second bicycling death in Oceanside in less than two months.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Kevin Cerv and all his loved ones.