hit and run

Two new ghost bikes went up in South L.A. and Compton yesterday. One was to commemorate the death last month of Sylvester Henderson, 26, who was hit by the train while crossing the Blue Line tracks at the intersection of Grandee and Century Blvd.

Maybe enough is finally enough.

Every time a cyclist is struck down by a negligent driver, especially when a hit and run is involved, I shudder. Since most of my on-bike time these days involve having a child either strapped to a seat behind me or nestled in a car-seat attachment in front of me, every crash leaves a scary reminder that no matter how safe I bicycle, I'm reliant on every passing car not to crash into me.

Two pieces of news show that the moment created by L.A. Weekly's ground-breaking article detailing Los Angeles' hit and run epidemic will not be wasted. This morning, the Los Angeles City Council Public Safety Committee met to detail what is expected from an LAPD report on hit and runs and the city's impact. Later, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-43) that extends the amount of time that one can be prosecuted for a hit and run crash.

If you've ever been the victim of a random act of violence, you know the deep anger and sadness it can inspire in a person. How it can make you question what you think you know about people. And how vulnerable it can leave you feeling.

"Shut up, bitch!" the injured African-American cyclist snapped at the Latina woman on her phone sitting next to him. "You talk too much!"

Last summer Paul Livingston, an experienced cyclist of 15 years, was commuting along Santa Monica Blvd heading east through Beverly Hills. He began slowing as he approached a stale red light. Relaxed, it was about 6pm on a clear skied Sunday afternoon and his lane - the right lane - was clear. He was estimated to be moving at about 8 miles per hour. Suddenly his world changed forever. Witnesses describe an impatient and unpredictable driver racing in and out of pockets heading east towards the soon to be green light that Paul was approaching. Paul had no chance. He was smashed from behind and thrown. It was reported that the driver never braked but instead accelerated to get away after impact.

Streetsblog received the following email from LAPD Sgt. David Krumer:

On Friday, February 11, Maria Pena and three children were crossing Mercer Street in the Valley when a gray pickup truck slammed in to the family and sped off.  Pena and the three children, ages 2, 3, and 5, were left bleeding, sprawled out on the street.  Meanwhile,  the driver sped off, comfortable in his truck, and has yet to be brought to justice.  All four victims were rushed to the hospital, where Pena passed away.  The children escaped with minor injuries.  For more information on the crash, read the Daily News story covering the crash .