Oxnard Driver Arrested in Fatal Bicycle Accident

An Oxnard man has been arrested for his involvement in a hit and run bicycle accident in which he struck two people, killing one man and injuring his son. According to the Ventura County Star, the accident occurred on Sunday afternoon. 45-year-old Kern County resident Rodrigo “Rod” Armas was bicycling with his 14-year-old son on the shoulder of the 34000 block of the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The two were on their way back to Malibu as part of the annual Los Angeles Wheelmen Grand tour event. The bicycling event begins and ends in Malibu after covering 200 miles Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

When motorist Robert Sam Sanchez struck the two cyclists, Armas was thrown off his bicycle. He sustained serious injuries, and died at the scene of the crash. His 14-year-old son suffered numerous broken bones and was taken to the UCLA Medical Center. He is reported to be in stable condition. Armas is survived by his wife, son and two daughters.

Police have now arrested Sanchez, who drove on after the bicycle accident. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, he traveled approximately 1 mile before he ditched the truck. Police found him at the spot, still showing signs of alcohol intoxication. He has been arrested, and is being held on a $100,000 bail.

Bicycling shouldn’t be a dangerous activity. In fact, it has too many benefits to even begin counting. It’s the most eco friendly manner of traveling and has limitless health benefits. If more people began cycling, it could decongest our crowded highways and smoothen the flow of traffic. Unfortunately, we don’t seem to make it easier for people who want to use their bicycles, to do so safely. Unpredictable gasoline prices have over the past year led to thousands of motorists across the country turning to their bicycles as an affordable means of travel. This increased number of cyclists on California highways has also meant a higher level of accidents involving bicyclists.

It’s not just in California that the number of bicycle accidents has increased the way it has. Across the country, some of the biggest cities have seen a large increase in the population of bicyclists and a corresponding rise in the number of accidents.

Part of the problem has to do with a lack of awareness about the rights of bicycle riders. Other factors include the lack of safe bicycling areas like bike lanes for these riders. That leads to tense situations in which motorists and bicyclists are competing for the same space. The result is often an accident with devastating consequences for the bicyclist in an overwhelming majority of the cases.

Because of the lack of any protection except for their helmets, bicyclists usually tend to suffer severe injuries in the event of a crash. The impact of these injuries can be lessened somewhat if a bicyclist is wearing an approved helmet. But helmets can’t protect from severe debilitating body injuries. Survivors may face weeks and months of extensive surgeries and hospitalization before they can begin to return to their normal lives.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of bicycle accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.