Talented swimmer will be missed
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Tuesday, September 30, 2008.

By DAISY RATZLAFF
Valley Press Staff Writer
LANCASTER - Family and friends are mourning the death of a 19-year-old Quartz Hill resident, who suffered fatal injuries when a vehicle hit his bicycle from behind as he pedaled along 30th Street West on his way to visit a friend.

Dan Tran, who enrolled at the University of California, Irvine, after graduating with honors in 2007 from Quartz Hill High School, was a student in Quartz Hill High's International Baccalaureate Diploma program as well as one of the best swimmers ever in the Antelope Valley, teachers said.

"Dan was a wonderful student and such a bright kid," said Kathleen Parks, a teacher at Quartz Hill High School and coordinator for the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. "We are all devastated by this tragedy."

Tran was hit at 10:55 p.m. Sept. 23 on 30th Street West near Avenue L-4 and suffered head injuries and upper chest trauma, Lancaster Station Traffic Detail Deputy Dennis Campbell said. Tran was airlifted to Providence-Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

On the Quartz Hill High swim team, Tran participated in several Southern California competitions, won titles three years in a row at the Golden League swimming competition and was team captain his senior year.

Mark Thibault, a swimming coach and teacher at Quartz Hill High School, described Tran as a great leader who always encouraged his team members but at the same time was really humble.

"He was the one who kept in the background but at the same time held everyone together. He truly was a team player," Thibault said.

Noting Tran's talent, Thibault said even swimmers at Quartz Hill High School rival Highland High School were upset at news of his death.

Thibault said Tran was hit while on his way to a friend's house.

"After he never made it, she called his older brother," the coach said. "And he called his cellphone, and that is how he found out. And then they called me."

Tran was traveling south on 30th Street West when his bike was hit from behind by 38-year-old Reneal Fueller's 1989 Honda Civic, authorities said.

Fueller allegedly took his eyes off the road momentarily to shift gears when he struck Tran, causing him to fall off his bicycle and hit the ground, Campbell said.

Fueller apparently was driving 35 mph in a 50-mile speed zone, officials said.

Tran was one of the honorees at the Antelope Valley Athletic Club 4.0 recognition dinner in 2007.

"He was so talented," Parks said.

Thibault said Tran decided to stop swimming after graduating high school and turn his focus on his college career.

Friends conducted a candlelight vigil in Tran's memory Sunday night.

Tran's memorial services are planned for Saturday at 11 a.m. at Joshua Memorial Park, 808 East Lancaster Blvd., Thibault said.

dratzlaff@avpress.com

12:05 is when the officer was writing the report.

Perhaps Streetsblog LA can bring us further details on Monday.

Maybe they are trying to appeal to a readership that is (being American) more likely to drive than take the train or bike.

Maybe it is the amount of advertising sold to car dealers.

Whatever it is, it is very disappointing to read this bias in articles that will be read by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Americans - imparting this skewed perception of reality to our fellow citizens.