Ghost bike for Sean Severson; photo by Danny Gamboa.
Every death on our streets is needless tragedy. Every fallen rider a heartbreaking loss.
But some tug a little harder at the heartstrings.
Like when a young boy with a lifetime of possibilities is taken from us before he can even grow up or become who he was destined to be.
On Thursday, 15-year old Sean Severson was hit and killed while riding his bike in Fountain Valley at 7:47 am, most likely while on his way to school.
According to a press release from the Fountain Valley Police Department, Severson was riding along the west curb line of Bushard Street north of Rose Avenue when he rode out into the traffic lane and was hit by a Volvo Sedan.
The report doesn’t say why he went out into the traffic lane, or wether he was riding with or against traffic, rear-ended or hit head on.
He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition; according to the Orange County Coroner’s office, he died at 11:50 am this morning, just four days short of his 16th birthday.
The driver remained at the scene, and there was no suspicion of drug or alcohol use. Anyone with information is urged to call the Fountain Valley Police Department at 714-593-4484.
This is the 26th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth in Orange County.
I’m told a ghost bike will be installed for Sean on Saturday morning.
This one will devastate a lot of people, including his schoolmates, as well as those of us who never knew him.
And now never will.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Sean Severson and all his family and loved ones.
Update: I’m told by Danny Gamboa that there are no brake marks on the street anywhere near where the collision occurred, indicating that the driver made no attempt to stop. Which suggests that Severson either made a last-second swerve to the left that the driver was unable to avoid, or that the driver never saw him.
Unfortunately, Sean isn’t around to tell his version of events.
