Yesterday's Justice for Milt Olin Ride #rideformilt passes Echo Park. All photos: Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.
Yesterday, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Yield to Life, and Ghost Bikes hosted a ride and vigil for Milton Olin. Olin was bicycling in a Calabasas bike lane when County Sheriff Deputy Andrew Wood drove into the bike lane and ended Olin's life. The sheriff was distracted, typing a non-emergency message on his on-board computer. Last week, eight months after the crash, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey declined to prosecute the killer, stating that Wood's distracted driving constituted "reasonable behavior."
Yesterday's ride started at the crash site in Calabasas, and rode 30 miles to the D.A.'s headquarters in downtown L.A. Roughly 75 riders were on the ride as it entered downtown, and the number swelled to roughly 125 for the vigil at Grand Park.
LACBC submitted this letter (read it - it is excellent and thorough in outlining appropriate measures to prosecute Wood for his deadly behavior) and are encouraging others concerned to write to D.A. Lacey to demand she prosecute Olin's killer. The D.A. can be reached at webmail@da.lacounty.gov.
Ride for Milt heading into downtown L.A. via Glendale Boulevard.
Ride for Milt enters the Second Street Tunnel in downtown L.A.
Milton Olin ride through 2nd Street Tunnel
At Grand Park, Ride for Milt attendees were encouraged to write their own message to D.A. Jackie Lacey
Los Angeles City Hall wasn't the target for the Milton Olin vigil, but it makes a compelling backdrop. Assembled cyclists urged L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey to prosecute Olin's killer. A light breeze made it difficult to keep candles lit.
LACBC's Eric Bruins and Yield to Life's Randi Zabriski addressed the vigil for justice for Milton Olin.
For much better photography of the ride and vigil check out Gary Kavanaugh's photo set here. Plenty more photos on Instagram and Twitter via hashtag #rideformilt.