UPDATE: Cyclist Hit by Vehicle, Road Closed

Brenda April 27, 2012 at 06:29 pm

Gawd Jeff, its a news article. Go back to your classroom they are waiting for you. Jeesh never seen such a thing written over someone being seriously injured you ahhh.......yeah that word.

Local Resident April 27, 2012 at 06:29 pm

Jeff Frank, how is it that you can have a moving vehicle without a driver? I saw the aftermath of the accident, the bike didn't hit a parked car....

Brenda April 27, 2012 at 06:36 pm

What would solve the problem at this intersection other then an officer sitting there to ticket everyone not yielding? If you have bikes turning right, cars turning right, then cars turning left onto Redhawk you have alot going on besides normal traffic flow, and there are no turn lights? I can't bring the intersection to mind at the moment but I figure its like alot of them around the area.
Now one thought ahead of time about cars, bikes, alot of traffic and more cars. pedestrians etc. when putting in signal lights.

Zak April 27, 2012 at 06:46 pm

This is a very unfortunate collision. People on bikes and people walking usually end up with major injuries or death…while the car driver says "Oh I didn't see them." Seems like I'm hearing more sirens on a daily basis and reading more stories about traffic collisions in and around Temecula. I ride and walk most places and the speed of traffic in Temecula is much too fast. We really need to think about everyone on the road when we take the wheel of a car. I sure hope the bicyclist makes it out okay.

Brandon April 27, 2012 at 06:51 pm

I ask that we all come together as a community and condemn god, Jesus, and baby Jesus for letting this happen in the first place—or better yet; stop with the prayer nonsense and actually do something.
If you feel so inclined to pray; realize that your prayer is nothing. It is not a valid act of kindness or giving; nor does it increase the chance that some good will befall upon cyclist and others involved or prevent incidents like this from occurring in the future.

Andrea April 27, 2012 at 07:11 pm

Brandon- you need some inspirational enlightment in your life. Did something happen to you when you were little???

tnbet April 27, 2012 at 07:12 pm

Thank you for your comment. I value your opinion but I will never condemn God! We are given free will...He doesn't cause an accident, a car and driver does and He doesn't keep accidents from happening either. Just because you are not a believer does not mean that the people involved are not as well, if they are then yes my prayers are an act of kindness.

Local Resident April 27, 2012 at 07:14 pm

TemMom951, EA and Gamer Dad... Thanks for the support. Good to know there are a few more people out there that understand the rules of the road. LOL! The only other thing that drives CRAZY about that intersection are the idiot right turn drivers that STOP at the green light, even if the left turn person is waiting for them... Uuuugh!
OTHER REFLECTIONS, I totally agree!

Local Resident April 27, 2012 at 07:20 pm

Well stated tnbet. Thank you.

TemecuMom April 27, 2012 at 07:58 pm

Using the word 'retarded' in a derogatory fashion makes you sounds just as bad as Jeff.

TemecuMom April 27, 2012 at 08:00 pm

I agree Amber; whenever I yield at that turn people behind me get upset. There is a difference between a solid green and a green arrow!

Brenda April 27, 2012 at 08:28 pm

Sirens, yes, live over Margarita, looking down on it and the Mall. Its insane some days the amount of sirens from 6am till late at night. Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and I often wonder if we have enough with them going north and south at the same time.
I wish the police would stick around more to catch the "racers" however who show up without fail anytime between Friday and Saturday nights. Cars or Motorcycles, and each time I hear them do that ready rev I just wait for the sound of crashing metal, but so far, no crashes. But they do need to stop. It must be a perfect 1/4 Mile from the mall to Overland is my guess, or the next street down.

BusyTemMom April 27, 2012 at 08:35 pm

I am an old school driver, back when you had to yield at most intersections. People are too used to a green arrow. maybe that's what is needed at this intersection. Some people need to reread their driver handbook! God be with all involved.....

frosty April 27, 2012 at 09:36 pm

I was driving by as the ambulace was pulling away. The whole scene looked horrific. Lots and lots of blood next to the mangled bicycle. I have been thinking about it all day. I really hope she pulls through. BTW I live in the area and like all others said, NOBODY yields in the redhawk area. I can't even count how many times I am honked at and flipped off for yeilding to pedestrians. On several occasions people have had to slam on thier brakes to not rear end me. It is scary and I no longer go for walks in that area.

mamasol April 28, 2012 at 12:13 am

My prayers go out to this young women. I was out walking with kids and dog and reached accident as police arrived. Many good people were over her helping her. Sadly when walking by I seen blood from her head on street. I didn't see a helmet nearby. I did hear her scream when paramedics arrived and lifted her head. The driver spoke up right away before police arrived and was at seen until almost 4pm. I walk almost every morning and have almost gotten run over at this signal light corner I would say more than once a week. I can't believe people of all ages don't care to stop for us pedistrains even when we are pushing a baby stroller. :( After seeing this I ask myself if it is safe to walk around my own neighborhood. I don't know who was at the wrong but I feel awful for the victim.

Jeff April 28, 2012 at 12:30 am

I love how we can have a civilized conversation here. My point is that people kill people or in this case run them over with their car. Vehicles do not kill people. Removing the human aspect from the news article and replacing it with an object makes it easier for us to digest the fact that driving a car is extremely dangerous.

Twilly April 28, 2012 at 02:23 am

I live in this area and notice that pedestrians have a hard time crossing the street. No one seems to want to stop when the pedestrian has the right of way. I thought CA law was that peds always have the right of way in a crosswalk and it is illegal to turn as long as they are still crossing. You could end up the object of road rage if you wait for children, families, mamas with strollers etc. around here!

Brenda April 28, 2012 at 03:38 am

Yes, yield to bikes and pedestrians or YOU PHLIPPING KILL THEM. Kind of makes sense right?
Even if they are still in the intersection and it turns yellow or RED, wait till they are safely out of the way or across. Let road ragers honk and yell at you, they are idiots who probably just need to leave earlier to get things done on time, or need to find a ahh........yeah one of those. Another thing cars need to remember is bike riders are considered cars. They drive with the flow of traffic, and at the speed of traffic(if possible), they use the same lanes are cars, and they go through intersections on that bike at 25, 30 mph just like a car will, making the light. You CANNOT turn in front of a bike going that fast and expect them to be able to stop for heavens sake. Just like a car. If this woman was attempting to ride her bike with the flow of traffic through the intersection, and the van pulled in front of her, she would not have been able to slow or stop that bike. Unless its clear cut here, its going to be interesting to determine who is at fault. To be hurt that badly, hit the ground or van that hard, that bike or bus was going at a good clip. Hope her surgery is over and she is doing well please GOD.

J April 28, 2012 at 12:48 pm

I live right here where it happened, however people blame everyone else when in fact this accident was actually her fault. the driver had the green light, she was not in the crosswalk area and unfortunately she wasn't wearing a helmet. My heart goes out to the young girl winos fighting for her life, and it was sad to see them recreate throughout the day but people know your facts before you start throwing blame....this does not appear to be the drivers fault!

J April 28, 2012 at 12:49 pm

*who is fighting for her life

Jeff April 28, 2012 at 01:10 pm

There are conflicting reports. Was she in the crosswalk or in the bike lane? http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/temecula/temecula-bicyclist-injured-in-redhawk-parkway-collision/article_9a013448-b2ef-5a4b-83d2-f12b33b4ea74.html
Was there something in the bike lane that caused her to swerve? Did the large van scare her? Did high speed traffic play a role in this? These are probably questions we'll never know the answer to. I doubt any of us know what it is like to ride in traffic like that.

J April 28, 2012 at 01:59 pm

You are right Jeff, there are so many questions we will most likely not know. I know they had the entire area closed since about noon until almost 7. It was disturbing seeing the bike in the street the entire time, but I also know it is necessary to do recreations. I am not saying most times the auto isnt at fault, I've seen numerous times when the vehicle disregards the bike and rider...I just know what I overheard them discussing while they were out there. Its a very sad situation all around!

SUE BENTLEY April 28, 2012 at 07:26 pm

I RIDE MY BIKE OFTEN IN THAT LOCATION. BIKE LAWS TELL YOU TO WEAR A HELMET AND RIDE IN THE BIKE LANE. SORRY I RIDE ON THE SIDEWALK- CALL ME CHICKEN! WHEN I CROSS AN INTERSECTION I PUSH THE WALK BUTTON AS A PEDESTRIAN AND EVEN THEN PEOPLE DON'T STOP!! THERE'S A POLICE SUB STATION RIGHT THERE. THERE ARE ALSO ACCIDENTS ON REDHAWK PKWY. AND VAIL RANCH PKWY. WHERE VEHICLES DON'T YIELD!! MAYBE THE SPEED LIMIT SHOULD BE REDUCED AS THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
I WILL PRAY SHE MAKES IT.

LDS April 28, 2012 at 11:45 pm

Ahhh the invisible cyclist. I crack up when I hear how no one rides around here. Temecula has a thriving bike community despite the massive car centric infrastructure we have here. I see so many people riding bikes on the sidewalk. Kids and adults alike. What that tells me is that they are afraid to ride with cars…I don't blame them. It's insane out there. Sue I think you should email our city council members and let them know you want slower speeds in our neighborhoods. Unfortunately signs alone will not slow people down. We're going to need major traffic calming along most if not all of our streets. I don't really want to get into the helmet debate, but there is no mandatory helmet law in California for adults.
Here is the link to contact our council. http://www.cityoftemecula.org/Temecula/Government/CouncilCommissions/CityCouncil/ And our city manager. http://www.cityoftemecula.org/Temecula/Government/CityManager/new.htm

Brenda April 28, 2012 at 11:56 pm

Unfortunately if she doesnt live, or does not recall at all what happened(which often happens)we will never know what truly happened. I think for her and the drivers own soul they need to find out who was at fault so healing can move forward. It doesnt move forward if there are questions still hanging out there.
Still hoping for an update on this young woman. So far have not heard of it being someone any of my grown up kids know of.

BK April 30, 2012 at 12:31 am

Gamer Dad you are so right. Some are so rude, inconsiderate and very selfish. They drive as if their life depends on getting to the turn before someone else does. I try to avoid going that direction because of the nonsense that occurs there. I pray she is well and that everyone calms down, slows down and think about what they do before they do it.

BK April 30, 2012 at 12:40 am

Amber, you can go around Temecula in just about any intersection and the same thing happens. Where I live there is a straight road, which means everyone on that road has the right of way due to no stop signs or traffic signals. The traffic coming from the right and every corner has a stop sign. It is a shame that I have to traverse into the lane of oncoming traffic (when it is not actually oncoming) to prevent getting hit by those running the stop signs. There are three particular ones in this area like that. I am not talking about a rolling stop as many call it. I'm talking about blatantly running the stop sign into oncoming traffic. I am aware that happens so I am always on my toes whenever I depart the house.

BK April 30, 2012 at 12:54 am

Hey Sue. I think it is more of a safety concern for those riding on the sidewalk. Many who ride on the sidewalk will not brake at an intersection even though they may have the green light. If the driver has a red light and wants to turn right, they may stop, but they will pull all the way to the corner to do so. At that exact moment, the collision occurs. On the sidewalk you are more than likely not seen because tunnel vision prevents you from being seen. Most don't bother to look at the sidewalk. Please be extra careful and make sure you are seen OK?

LDS April 30, 2012 at 01:01 am

Totally agree BK. If you ever watch a motorist making a right turn they almost never look right. They roll up to the red light looking left and keep looking left. I saw a pedestrian crossing when he had the right of way and was almost hit by a car making a right on red. The driver never looked right and the pedestrian, who had the right of way, started walking. It was close! Pedestrian luckily jumped out of the way.

BK April 30, 2012 at 02:35 am

It's a shame LDS. We just have to do what we can as individuals to keep as safe as possible. Thanks by the way for those city management and city council links. I wrote to them tonight about my particular area.