TRAFFIC FATALITY

On August 31, 2017, at approximately 09:40 AM, Officers from the Long Beach Police Department were dispatched to the area of Downey Avenue and La Jara Street regarding a vehicle versus bicyclist injury traffic collision. Upon arrival officers located the collision on Downey Avenue between Hedda Street and La Jara Street.

The bicyclist sustained major body trauma and was determined deceased at the scene by Long Beach Fire Department paramedics.

The preliminary investigation revealed the bicyclist, a M/W, approximately 50 years old, was riding his bicycle in a northwesterly direction across the northbound lanes of Downey Avenue from the east service road of Downey Avenue and Hedda Street.

The vehicle, a 2013 Hyundai Genesis, driven by a 20 year old male resident of Hawaii was traveling northbound Downey Avenue in the #1 lane approaching Hedda Street. Upon seeing the bicyclist diagonally crossing Downey Avenue, the driver merged into the #2 lane of Downey Avenue to avoid the bicyclist. At the same time the driver was changing lanes, the bicyclist made a right hand U-turn into the #2 lane of Downey Avenue and into the path of the vehicle. The driver could not avoid the bicyclist and collided with him.

The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the preliminary investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and any additional witnesses are asked to contact Detective Sirilo Garcia of the Long Beach Police Department’s Collision Investigation Detail at (562) 570-7355.