Tag Archive for Ventura County

Update: Road cyclist killed on PCH near Thornhill Broome Beach in Ventura County, another victim of SoCal’s killer highway

February 22, 2025 / / 5 comments

Southern California’s deadliest roadway has claimed another life.

This time in Ventura County. And once again, the victim appears to be a road cyclist.

According to the Ventura County Star, the victim was struck by a motorist while riding in the northbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway shortly before 11:15 this morning.

They place the crash in Ventura County near the sand dunes south of Thornhill Broome Beach, about 2.4 miles south of Mugu Rock.

Meanwhile, KVTA 1590 places the collision on PCH north of Sycamore Canyon Road at 11:13 am.

The station reports the victim was leading a group of eight other bicyclists on the shoulder of the highway when the rider allegedly made an abrupt turn into the northbound traffic lane, and was hit by a driver traveling at 55 mph.

Ventura County firefighters said someone was performing CPR on the victim when they arrived. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and additional units were called off.

There’s no information yet on the identity of the victim or the driver. And no word on why the victim may have swerved into the traffic lane, or what group the riders may have been associated with, if any.

Despite recent efforts to improve safety, too many people have died, and continue to die, on PCH as a result of traffic violence. And too many of those have been riding bicycles.

This was at least the seventh bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first that I’m aware of in Ventura County.

Update: The victim has been identified only as a 66-year old Los Angeles man, though he has still not been publicly named, while the driver was a 37-year old woman from Malibu, also unnamed.

Update 2: The victim has been identified as 66-year old Los Angeles resident John C. McLaughlin. A comment from Damian Kevitt below says McLaughlin was on a training ride with LA Tri Club when he was killed.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for John C. McLaughlin and all his loved ones.

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

44-year old Oxnard resident Antonio Rodriguez died Monday, ten days after he was struck by driver in La Colonia area

December 23, 2024 / / One comment

It was exactly a week ago that we reported on an Oxnard man who suffered major injuries when he was struck by a driver while riding a fixie in the city’s La Colonia neighborhood.

Even though the local paper felt the need to note that he was riding brakeless, and wasn’t wearing a helmet, even though there’s no indication either had anything to do with it.

Sadly, though, he didn’t make it.

The Ventura County Star reports that 44-year old Oxnard resident Antonio Rodriguez died today, ten days after he was struck by a 20-year old motorist.

The crash reportedly occurred round 7:55 am on Friday, December 13th, at First Street and Roosevelt Ave.

However, there’s still no word on how the crash occurred, or who may have been at fault. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators; he hasn’t been ticketed or charged, though the crash remains under investigation.

And yes, the paper still felt the need to comment, without context, that Rodriguez didn’t have brakes or a helmet.

Whether his bike had brakes only matters if he was somehow unable to stop before riding out in front of the driver or crashing into him. And Rodriguez’ lack of a bike helmet shouldn’t make any difference unless he suffered a head injury, or his other injuries may have been survivable if he had one.

Anyone with information is urged to call Oxnard Police Officer Ivan Sanchez at 805/385-7749, or email ivan.sanchez@oxnardpd.org.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Woman riding bicycle killed in Camarillo collision, almost no details available — except what she wasn’t wearing

September 6, 2024 / / Comments Off on Woman riding bicycle killed in Camarillo collision, almost no details available — except what she wasn’t wearing

A woman was killed riding her bike in Camarillo Friday afternoon.

But all we know about her right now is what wasn’t on her head.

According to the Ventura County Star, the victim was struck by the driver of cargo van shortly before 2:10 pm, at the intersection of Adolfo and Santa Rosa roads.

She was taken to Los Robles Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

Unfortunately, that’s all we know right now. No word on how the crash occurred, or who may have been at fault.

Only that sheriff’s deputies thought it was important to mention that the victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, wasn’t wearing a helmet. Which only matters if she died of a head injury, or if the crash might have somehow been survivable with one.

This is at least the 36th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in Ventura County.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

58-year old bike rider killed in Camarillo hit-and-run during police chase Saturday; medical examiner says it’s an “oopsie”

July 31, 2024 / / 7 comments

You’ve got to be kidding.

A man riding a bicycle was killed by an armed robber fleeing from police in Camarillo on Saturday — something which could reasonably be expected to result in a murder charge.

Except the Ventura County medical examiner said it was just an “oopsie.”

You know, big harm, no foul.

While this site was down for the last few days, news broke that the victim was killed, and several other people injured in a separate collision, when they were struck by the robber as he tried to escape the cops in an SUV shortly after 4 pm.

Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies began chasing the alleged robber, identified as 21-year-old Makare Toliver of Lancaster, and his partner after they reportedly stole a gun from a man at the Good Nite Inn on Ventura Boulevard.

Toliver initially yielded to the cops after pausing at a gas station, before taking off again and running down the victim as he rode on Central Ave between Beardsley Road and Santa Clara Ave.

The victim, later identified as 58-year old Ventura resident Robert Pierret, died after being taken to a local hospital.

There’s no word at this time on just how the crash occurred.

Toliver continued without stopping until he crashed into another car, injuring a number of people in that car, and was arrested at gunpoint along with another man.

Fortunately, none of those victims were seriously injured.

Toliver was booked on suspicion of armed robbery, as well as evasion of law enforcement and second-degree murder.

However, the murder charge was dropped after the medical examiner inexplicably ruled Pierret’s death an accident, explaining that traffic deaths are usually considered accidents “unless there is some unusual circumstance.”

Apparently, killing someone while evading police after robbing someone is perfectly normal in Ventura County.

Instead, Toliver was charged with two counts of second degree robbery, evading an officer causing death, fleeing the scene of an accident aausing death, grand theft of a firearm, and assault with a semi-automatic firearm, along with a whopping 21 special allegations.

He pled not guilty Tuesday to all charges.

The other man, also from Lancaster, was released on bail without formal charges.

This is at least the 31st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware this year in Ventura County.

Eleven of those deaths have been hit-and-runs.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Robert Pierret and his loved ones.

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

Update: Man riding bicycle against traffic killed in Oxnard hit-and-run; 7th SoCal bike rider killed by hit-and-run drivers this year

May 4, 2024 / / One comment

For the seventh time this year, a Southern California bike rider has been left to die in the street by a heartless hit-and-run driver.

This time in Oxnard.

According to the Ventura County Star, the victim was riding against traffic in the northbound bike lane on Saviers Road near Pleasant Valley Road shortly after 6 pm Friday, near the Speedway Express gas station.

An SUV driver exiting the gas station turned right onto Saviers, and crashed head-on into the victim, before fleeing the scene.

The victim, identified only as an adult man, died shortly after being taken to a local hospital.

Anyone with information is urged to call Oxnard Police Traffic Investigator Patrick Blanche at 805/200-5668, or email patrick.blanche@oxnardpd.org.

This is at least the 17th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third that I’m aware of already this year in Ventura County.

He was also the second wrong-way bike rider killed in Oxnard in just ten days.

Yet another reminder to alway ride in the direction of traffic, even in a bike lane.

Update: The victim has been identified as 33-year old Oxnard resident Youssef A. Ayad. Police are looking for the driver of a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. 

My deepest sympathy and prayer for Youssef A. Ayad and all his family and loved ones. 

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

35-year old man killed riding salmon in Oxnard collision Sunday night; victim identified as Oxnard resident Joey Paquet

April 24, 2024 / / Comments Off on 35-year old man killed riding salmon in Oxnard collision Sunday night; victim identified as Oxnard resident Joey Paquet

Sometimes it helps to wait a few days to write something, because the story can change.

That’s what happened when a man was killed riding his bicycle in Oxnard Sunday night.

Despite initial reports that the victim was a 45-year old North Hollywood man, he was later identified as 35-year old Oxnard resident Joey Paquet.

According to an updated story from the Ventura County Star, Paquet was riding against traffic on Oxnard Blvd at the northbound offramp to the 101 Freeway around 9:40 pm, when he was struck by a driver turning right off the offramp.

He died at the scene.

The driver of the SUV remained following the crash and cooperated with investigators; police don’t suspect the driver was under the influence.

Anyone with information is urged to call Oxnard Police Traffic Investigator Raul Camacho at 805/200-5668.

A crowdfunding campaign to pay Paquet’s funeral expenses has raised a little more than $2,700 towards the modest $4,000 goal. Commenters on the page described Paquet as a bright light who brought kindness and positivity to their neighborhood.

This is at least the 13th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the second that I’m aware of this year in Ventura County.

And it’s one more tragic reminder to always ride with traffic when you’re riding on the roadway.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Joey Paquet and all his family and loved ones.

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

55-year old Michael Sorensen killed in Simi Valley collision, after allegedly running stop sign on his bike

March 26, 2024 / / 3 comments

A Simi Valley man was killed after running a stop sign on his bicycle.

Allegedly.

According to the Ventura County Star, 55-year old Michael Sorensen was riding south on Quimisa Drive in Simi Valley at 1 pm Tuesday, when he tried to make a left turn onto West Los Angeles Ave, reportedly running the stop sign in the process.

Sorensen was struck by a driver traveling west on Los Angeles. He died at the scene.

The T-shaped intersection doesn’t have a stop sign on Los Angeles, which has a 50 mph speed limit. A bend in the road could have hidden the car from Sorensen’s view until it was too late, especially if the driver was exceeding the speed limit by even a few miles.

The driver remained on scene and cooperated with police, and did not appear to be impaired.

Whether Sorensen actually ran the stop sign depends on whether there were any independent witnesses aside from the driver who may have seen whether he stopped, particularly since the driver’s view of Sorensen could have been obstructed by the bend in the road.

Anyone with information is urged to call Simi Valley Police Officer Bryan Sarfaty at 805/583-6189, or email bsarfaty@simivalley.org.

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

However, it’s the second bicycling death in Simi Valley in three months.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Michael Sorensen and all his loved ones. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: 45-year old woman killed in Simi Valley collision while biking in crosswalk

December 29, 2023 / / 8 comments

More bad news leading into what should be a happy weekend.

The Simi Valley Police Department is reporting that a woman was killed in a collision while riding her bike Thursday afternoon.

According to a press release from the department, the victim, identified only as a 45-year old Simi Valley resident, was struck by a driver at Fitzgerald Road and Erringer Road around 1:46 pm yesterday.

She riding west in the crosswalk on the eastbound side of Fitzgerald, when she was struck by a driver traveling south on Erringer.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

It’s important to note that bicycles are allowed in crosswalks in California, and that all crosswalks are bidirectional.

The intersection is controlled with a four-way stop; there’s no word on whether one or both people properly observed the stop and right-of-way.

Simi Valley police investigators report neither party appeared to be impaired.

Anyone with information is urged to call Simi Valley Traffic Collision Investigator Eric Cooke at 805/583-6185, or email ecooke@simivalley.org.

This is at least the 73rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in Ventura County.

There have been reports of at least two other deaths in this week in the Los Angeles area that remain unconfirmed.

Update: The victim has been identified as 45-year old Simi Valley resident Patricia Cooper. 

The vehicle the driver struck her with was a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, an oversized SUV with a high, flat grill virtually designed to kill.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Patricia Cooper and her loved ones.

Thanks to Linda Righetti for the heads-up.

 

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

Elderly Oxnard man dies, weeks after he’s struck riding his bicycle

December 13, 2023 / / Comments Off on Elderly Oxnard man dies, weeks after he’s struck riding his bicycle

An elderly Oxnard man has died, over a month after he was left-crossed by a driver while riding his bicycle.

According to the Ventura County Star, 84-year old Oxnard resident Joseph Smart was riding east on West Fifth Street in Oxnard around 6:15 pm on Sunday, November 5th, when he was struck by a westbound driver turning left onto South K Street.

Oxnard police were told Tuesday about Smart’s death.

There’s no word on any tickets or charges; police don’t believe the driver was speeding or under the influence.

Evidently, killing someone through simple carelessness isn’t illegal anymore. However, the investigation is reportedly ongoing, so maybe there’s hope.

Anyone with information is urged to call Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at 805/200-5668, or email alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

But one thing is certain. Anyone who is still riding a bicycle at that age deserved better.

This is at least the 69th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third that I’m aware of in Ventura County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Joseph Smart and his loved ones.

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

75-year old Camarillo man dies after falling off his ebike on Friday

November 9, 2023 / / Comments Off on 75-year old Camarillo man dies after falling off his ebike on Friday

It’s not getting any better out there.

But at least this time, there wasn’t a driver involved.

According to Santa Barbara TV station KEYT, an elderly man died after crashing his ebike in Camarillo last Friday.

The victim, identified only as a 75-year old Camarillo resident, was riding north on Crestview Ave, just south of Avenida de Aprisa, just before 9 am when he reportedly lost control of his bicycle and fell into the street, suffering life-threatening injuries.

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

The Camarillo Police Department reports he was wearing a helmet. However, they didn’t say whether he suffered a head injury, which is the only reason that would be relevant.

Anyone with information is urged to call Camarillo Police Traffic Investigator Anthony Zacarias at 805/388-5126.

This is at least the 52nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and just the second that I’m aware of in Ventura County.

He’s also the second SoCal bike rider to die in a solo fall in the last week.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,
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