Sad news from San Pedro, as a bike rider has been killed in a collision after falling on the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
Multiple, virtually identical reports indicate 31-year old Long Beach resident Sergio Tapia was riding north in the right lane of the east-west bridge when he reportedly fell and was hit by a commercial truck, then knocked into the next lane where he was hit by a car.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No word on what might have caused him to fall, or if there were independent witnesses who saw it happen.
Unlike the replacement Gerald Desmond Bridge, which will have both bike and pedestrian paths when it opens, the Vincent Thomas Bridge has neither, forcing bicyclists to ride in heavy industrial traffic coming to and from the ports in Long Beach and San Pedro. And for some riders, especially those who work at the ports, there is no other viable route.
This is the 69th bicycling fatality in Southern California, and the 28th in Los Angeles County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers Sergio Tapia and his family.
