Tragic Cycling Accidents Trigger Wakeup Call To Temecula Motorists

Temecula is home to many cyclists who take to city roads for training and leisurely rides alike. In fact,

Temecula also attracts cyclists from outside the city who come to the area to ride the hilly, scenic roads.

But recent cycling deaths just outside the city are serving as wakeup calls to all who use local roadways.

“It’s … important to remind both drivers and cyclists to share the valley roads," said CHP Officer Joe Zagorski.

On Saturday morning, cyclist Mark Ledbetter, 44, of La Quinta was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit by a car in the 79900 block of Country Club Drive in Bermuda Dunes.

Zagorski said Ledbetter and another man were riding westbound on Country Club when a 2009 Dodge Caliber, driven by 32-year-old Anthony Peraza of Coachella, "for reasons yet to be determined" struck the cyclists.

"This collision demonstrates the importance of drivers remaining focused on the task of driving and the road ahead of them ...," Zagorski said.

Indio resident Chad Priest, 29, who was riding another bicycle alongside Ledbetter, received scrapes and cuts on his left arm and shoulder and was treated at the scene, Zagorski said.

after a motorist inadvertently allowed his pickup truck to drift onto the shoulder of Grand Avenue where the cyclist was pedaling.

Dettloff was struck from behind by a 2005 Nissan Frontier and thrown to the pavement, said CHP Officer Nathan Baer. Dettoff was pronounced dead at the scene 20 minutes later.

The 60-year-old Wildomar man at the wheel of the Nissan was not hurt, Baer said.

"Collisions like these are completely preventable and should not happen," the officer said. "The CHP ... cannot be everywhere at once, so it is up to the motorist to help us by avoiding distracted driving, obeying traffic laws, and thinking of others while driving."

The motorist was not arrested, but the collision remains under investigation. --City News Service contributed to this report.