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Loved ones remember teen hit by school bus

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Family and friends crammed the corner of 55th Street East and Avenue R to pay tribute to Michael "Speedy" Valenzuela (top left).
Family and friends crammed the corner of 55th Street East and Avenue R to pay tribute to Michael “Speedy” Valenzuela (top left).

PALMDALE – Well over 200 mourners gathered Tuesday night to remember Michael Valenzuela, the 18-year-old killed in a school bus crash Monday afternoon.

The candlelight vigil was held on the corner of 55th Street East and Avenue R in Palmdale, the spot where Valenzuela was struck as he rode his bicycle to soccer practice shortly before 4 p.m. Monday.

Speedy vigil 1Valenzuela was riding a bicycle southbound on 55th Street East when he was hit by a school bus filled with students that was traveling westbound on Avenue R, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Gil Hernandez said. (Read more on the fatal collision here.)

Tuesday night, several family members prayed the Rosary, as friends and loved ones embraced, shed tears, and signed a banner held above dozens of candles in a makeshift memorial to Valenzuela.

Among those paying respects to the Valenzuela family was Palmdale City Manager Dave Childs.

Speedy vigil 4“Palmdale is a big, small town and when something bad happens in a small town, everybody feels it,” Childs said. “We all feel that hurt when something happens to one of our own in this small town.”

Valenzuela was known for his warm smile, his willingness to help others and his skills on the soccer field, which earned him the nickname “Speedy,” several friends and teammates said.

“We’re all going to remember him by the amazing smile that he always carried. He was by far one of the best people I’ve ever met,” said Melvin Perez.

“When I received a concussion [playing soccer], he was there to pick me up, he was there to tell me ‘never give up on your dreams,’” said Mayra Moreno.

“His heart was just amazing, unbelievable, words can’t describe how big it was,” said Eduardo Perez.

“Michael would always help out the little kids’ team that I coached, the AV Revolution,” said Johnny Alba. “My players called him their only competition because he was so fast, he would do whatever it took to get that ball.”

Valenzuela played on Team Chelsea in the Palmdale Youth Soccer League.

Team Chelsea has been renamed Team Speedy in honor of Valenzuela.
Team Chelsea has been renamed Team Speedy in honor of Valenzuela.

At the vigil, teammates announced that Team Chelsea had been renamed Team Speedy in honor of Valenzuela.

This weekend’s soccer games at Domenic Massari Park will be all about remembering “Speedy”, with various tributes planned in his honor.

“AV Revolution is dedicating their Sunday game to him, we’re all getting Speedy on the side of our shirts,” Alba said.

Another team planned to wear black memorial armbands and hold a moment of silence before their game.

Speedy vigil 3“He touched everybody on the field and we want to remember him for that,” said Jackie Perez, adding that her players also planned a special tribute dance, should they score a goal.

The Palmdale Youth Soccer League also planned to circulate a petition at Domenic Massari Park on Saturday. The petition would be aimed at convincing the city of Palmdale to put traffic signals at 55th Street East and Ave R – the intersection of the fatal collision, Jackie Perez said.

The city of Palmdale is already on board. Childs said city officials had been working to address the issue well before the fatal collision.

“Last summer we applied for a grant to put a signal in, last week we got the grant,” Childs said, adding that the grant was about $638,000. “We’ve started the design process, and as fast as that can go, we’ll move that through and we’ll actually do it.”

Family members are hosting a series of fundraisers, starting with a car wash this weekend, to cover funeral costs for Valenzuela. Details on upcoming fundraisers and how residents can donate will be available later this week.

To learn more about how you can become involved, contact Dr. Miguel Coronado at Agents of Change at 661-466-6810.

Related stories:

Teen hit by school bus dies from injuries

Palmdale School District statement on fatal school bus crash

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Filed Under: Palmdale

60 comments for "Loved ones remember teen hit by school bus"

  1. I cant believe how many people can honestly argue that this was his fault.
    Even more, I cant believe it was Michael. I loved him, with all my heart, and still do. It hurts so bad to think he is gone, and that even now people cant show respect. How would you have felt if it were you? Would you really want people arguing that it was your fault? No. Want to know how I would feel? I would definitely be more happy knowing it was me and not Michael. He is honestly one of the best people ive ever known. He didn’t deserve this, and he especially doesn’t deserve anybodys rude comments or opinions.
    how could you people live with yourselves? How could you say things like “maybe he shouldn’t have crossed in front of a bus” or “he should have looked both ways”? I don’t care what evidence can prove, this accident took Michael from me and nothing, absolutely nothing, can bring him back. At least show the respect enough to Michael if not those who are grieving his loss. It’s not everyday that one loses there one and only true love, but when it does happen, then one will understand what it is to lose somebody.
    I love you Michael.
    -Caitlyn

  3. Ok here is my opinion, first the speed limit is 55 ,bus driver NOT speeding, second the car who stopped in the intersection to let this child seal his fait. who in their right mind would do that, stop and put their hazards on? Bus driver saw hazards and proceeded to move over and bam their is fait a young man on a bike what kind common driver would stop in the middle of an intersection on a 55 mile an hour zone? Shame on that driver… NO EXCUSE read the DMV hand book about right of ways and intersections….

    • When you see a car stopped in front of you, the common sense thing to do is to slow down and not try to whip around it because you have an obstructed view and you can’t see passed the stopped car. So you have no idea what is up ahead. In the school bus where the drive sits higher than other cars, she should have seen someone in the middle of the street; even if she didn’t, she should not have assumed the coast is clear and continue driving.

  4. We have been screaming for traffic lights at this intersection for many years! 5 elementary schools + 1 high school + middle school + 0 traffic light at an intersection where there is a big park = DISASTER! We shouldn’t have to sacrifice our loved ones because the City of Palmdale needs a certain number of fatalities in order to erect an intersection with traffic lights. On a daily basis you can see school-aged children dodging fast moving vehicles across AVE R at corners and crosswalks just to get to the other side of the street and all without the help of traffic lights or crossing guards. Be proactive, if the traffic is high then do something! It should make sense that if there is a park that is highly used by the surrounding residents and sports leagues then there should traffic lights at this intersection! The speed limit has always been 55mph on this part of Ave R and 45mph on 55th. If the sign reads something else then it’s because someone from the city has changed it due to what has happened, I should know, I’ve been here for 24 years. Hey Palmdale! The west side looks beautiful but we pay taxes too and want some care to our side of the City!

  5. Lets all re-focus and stop the senseless comments:
    1. Pedestrians and cyclist always have the right of way, even if they are crossing half way through the street.
    2. Drivers need to share the road and constantly scan the road for possible scenarios.
    3. A light must be placed at this and any other dangerous intersection.
    4. The community must unite and demand this change, again, the next council meet us next week. Be there!
    5. Support the family, emotionally and financially.

    To the family, we are sorry for your loss, especially during this Holy Week, may God give you the strength to overcome such an awful tragedy. Remember “Dios esta contigo, el no se muda”

    The Garcias!

  6. Everyone please just stop, news reports can be wrong, the reporter showed the sign on 55th the bus was traveling on R. Regardless of All of that Michael was in the cross walk on the opposite side of the street, his family and friends are hurting, the 47 children on that bus I’m sure are shaken over the whole thing. Please for the sake of all of them just stop.

    **There will be A CAR WASH AT SKY BURGER SATURDAY 8am-2pm

    friends of Michael will have a donation can at the season opener for PYSL and will have the petition going around as well. It’s my understanding that the city has just got funding but has not allocated where that money will go. We need as many signatures as we can to make sure something is done so no other children or families are left hurting this way!

    • Signing away today! Everyone join in signing this petition! Warm months are on the way and that means more traffic and more pedestrians!

  7. One think a driver should never do is stop at a crossway when people or cyclists are waiting to cross, why? Because accidents like this one happen because of drivers behind don’t realize why the car in front stopped or they are too close to stop and end up hurting someone. Seems like most people are in a hurry all the time, you get honked at and/or swear at if you drive a little below the speed limit, and get the “look” if you are at the limit. If we want people to drive 40-45, the signs have to be set to 30-35, most drivers are always above the limit. Are more traffic lights the answer? Maybe, but at least, one is need at this intersection.

    • I agree with everything you said EXCEPT the first part, IT IS THE LAW TO STOP AT CROSS WALKS AND PEDESTRIANS ESPECIALLY IN CROSSWALKS!!! even if they weren’t in crosswalk what are we to do run them the hell over because OMG the driver in the bus, car or truck may not see us stopped!!??? having a license means certain maturity and RESPONSIBILITY…Did you ever take driver’s ed?? do you remember the driving instructor telling you you have to have “the big picture” to be a SAFE driver??…IT means to Watch and pay attention at all times and also to prepare on anything and everything that “could” happen while driving..he We are not supposed to be driving playing with the radio, TEXTING, talking on the phone, brushing teeth, putting on make-up, turning around to scream at the kids or flirt with the person next to us. and especially driving a school bus we are NOT to be driving looking in the rearview mirrors trying to babysit and drive at the same time?….NOT A GOOD IDEA! This is how “accidents” happen!!

      • Only if they are walking, NOT riding a bike he has now come a part of California v.c…. You know so much look it up!!!!

    • It is the responsibility of a driver to pay attention to what is in front of him or her, not the vehicles behind them. It is for this very reason that following too closely will get you a traffic ticket. Hazards get in the roadway and drivers need to stop. If some idiot behind is texting or not paying attention, then they will hit the car in front. If people pay attention to what is IN FRONT of them, then accidents go down. Check the vehicle code before you spout off.

  8. to all of you saying the speed limit were the accident happen is 55 mph not 45 mph. I know this cause yes I live in Palmdale and I have drove that street several times, truth is that law enforcement should reinforce cyclist to wear their safety gear and open up a bike lane…God is the only one to judge I just pray for the 50 yr. old woman with twenty something children in a bus by herself, and my thoughts and prayers for Michael’s family.

    • SAMANTHA! I I live in Palmdale to for 40 yrs. I went and saw the 45 mph sign last night!
      Also, watch this KTLA video the reporter is on the corner and shows the SIGN on the NEWS saying CLEARLY 45mph! wake up girl! quit trying to protect the bus driver..

        • alright child. you know how to use a computer and argue your little heart out but apparently you cant see.if youre actually watching the video you posted you can see in the background when shes talking to the camera, yea that AVE R! are you still following me or are you lost?! look at the white sign to the right of her head (your right if you need help) that sign is a speed limit sign and what does it say?! IT SAYS 55MPH! and thats on the westbound side of AVE R which means its the speed limit for AVE R! are you following? if you so called lived here for so many olden years then you would know what street she turns to point to about the 45 MPH sign… 55TH ST EAST!!!! which the bus was traveling on AVE R NOT 5TH ST EAST! ok now that you have your mph and streets right, lets hope you can find your way home and it’ll get you a little more umph in your argument.
          My sources: i lived in that street u can see crossing the dessert and i walked my behind to the park every week. argue with that child.

      • You feel bad for the bus driver? Did you see my brothers face while he laid in his death bed? The way his right leg didn’t reach as far as his left? I did. And the image can’t seem to leave my mind. Wait no, are you even aware of what happened? HA! You weren’t even there, so please reconsider your thoughts. Hope your conscious rots.

        • I’am so sorry for your lost ,I my self lost a brother, and the only advice that I could give you is pray God will help you do justice for michael your his voice from now on.and he’s your guardian angel..he will be there for you do something in the park in memory of michael

    • The intersection is 45 going on 55th, it’s 55 on ave r, BIKE LANES WILL NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE! MICHAEL WAS CROSSING THE STREET IN A CROSS WALK!!!!!!! He was almost across te street when the bus hit him wait ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET!!!!! The bus didint swerve to miss Michael it swerved for another reason and if it did as they say swerve to miss Michael why would it swerve in the direction Michael was going!!!!!!!!!!! Use your brain! MICHAEL DID NOTHING WRONG! He’s a great kid and waited till a car GAVE HIME THE RIGHT OF WAY!!!

      Jackie V I’m so sorry for your families pain, we are here if you need anything and support you guys in everything prayers and love to you all!!

  10. I’ll just copy this from a friend who is a professional bicyclist.
    “OK this wreck makes zero sense. The cyclist was hit in the left turn lane for the opposite direction of travel for the bus. IOW the cyclist had cleared the bus’s direction of travel when he was hit in the next lane over. That sounds like the bus driver swerved at rather than to avoid the cyclist. I also read an unconfirmed report that there was another vehicle at the scene that had stopped to give the cyclist a clear crossing and the the bus driver swerved to pass the stopped car and ran right into the cyclist. No report I have read could make this not the fault of the bus driver except fvck everyone, cars own the roads. That’s the only way this could not be the fault of the bus driver, that the cyclist just did not have any right to be on the road when there was a motor vehicle present. And I think most of us know that the law says otherwise, that cyclists have the right to use the roads for transportation as this young man was doing.”

    • here it is Folks for all who missed this CHP report up date…

      A press report issued by the California Highway Patrol late Monday night put the 54-year-old female bus driver’s speed at about 50 miles per hour. The bus driver swerved left to avoid the collision with the bicycle, but ended up striking the bicycle in the left turn lane of eastbound Avenue R, according to the CHP report.
      They still didn’t mention the nice driver who stopped to let Michael cross and the bus swerved from hitting the car and hit Michael instead , SO TRAGIC! …it was the buses FAULT being distracted by whatever anyone with a Class A drivers license is supposed to be extra cautious and aware or the road and surroundings!!! PERIOD

      And also, my son plays baseball at that park I avoid that corner/”intersection at all cost. VERY DANGEROUS!!
      City of Palmdale MUST take care of its people better. there is also A Cross walk on 40th East Between Ave S and S-8 .The cross walk is marked with a school crossing sign for all drivers to see CLEARLY but do the drivers care?…NO!! ok some random NICE people will see us and stop to let us cross but most of the time they keep driving fast there has been cars that swerve by us not even letting there foot of the gas. WHAT IS WRONG with people today? SLOW DOWN and Pay attention to all Children and Pedestrians….WE have the right of way, not the Cars

      • oh and the speed limit sign at that corner where Michael was killed CLEARLY SAYS 45 MPH

    • Why the thumbs down. This is a clear factual analysis. I’m looking for closure. That sign posted says 45mph, report says the bus went into the left turn lane of the opposite side(WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!!!!), just wait for it, there will be testimonials and witnesses for this act.

      • I’m with you. why the ‘cover up’? WHY has there been NO MENTION of the other car in all the published reports? Why we’re there NO SKID MARKS? I didn’t know him, my daughter did. My prayers to the family. RIP, Michael…

  11. With the new bike path on Valley Central Way, we have another accident waiting to happen. Same thing with the BLVD.Be careful in driving in these places and be especially careful if u r walking or biking.

  12. What was sad is that 3 employees from the R. Rex Parris law firm were at this event handing out business cards soliciting business.

    • What kind of people would attempt to solicit business at a vigil a day after a mother has lost a son? Completely and utterly disgusting! If that doesn’t reveal his character then nothing does. Yet people continue to follow Rex, drink his kool aid, and turn a blind eye to it all. Are we really this callous and this dumb?

    • What I can’t figure out is why people keep thinking Rex is the “Second Coming.” The guy has people handing out business cards at a vigil. I mean, is there anything the guy WON’T do?

    • The family hired the R. Rex Parris Law Firm within hours of the tragic crash. The firm representatives were at the Vigil at the request of the family, as their lawyers. The firm was also there — as any exceptional law firm would be — to interview witnesses to the horrific crash on behalf of their clients. After all, witness testimony is what wins cases. And witness memory is always most accurate within a day of the event.

      Any further requests about the case should be directed to the R. Rex Parris Law Firm.

      • Yep. Nothin’ like a memorial vigil to round up potential witnesses while you have them all in one place. You just go on being exceptional.

      • What you failed to mention was weather the law firm approached the family first or the family contacted them. Anyone grieving after a tragic loss like this wouldn’t even think of a lawsuit so quickly unless approached first. As far as interviewing witnesses there is a process called a deposition that by the way your law firm conducted with the mayor of Palmdale was so poorly done that you are better off asking anyone off the street for anything credible. You people are the lowest of the low.

        • Dear Mr. Pelka,

          Thank you for your continued interest in our law firm — although everyone’s focus really should be on the grieving family and improving the safety of our streets.

          That said, naturally, the family contacted our law firm first. Thankfully, due to the strong reputation of our firm locally (and county- and state-wide), our clients all come to us.

      • WOW Alex. While your daddy-in-law whines about ONE lawsuit against Lancaster, you are out trying to milk tragedy’s for the old man? Couldn’t get a job without marrying into the family? Why not leave this poor family alone?

  13. Why does the City have to wait until someone dies to do something??????? I have been complaining for 4 years now about Bolz Ranch Rd near Rancho Vista School. The speed limit is 55 (we all know that people do 60-65) and THERE IS NOT EVEN A STOP SIGN at the cross walk!!!!!! My son and I have witnessed too many close calls of kids and crosswalk attendancts almost being hit. All the City did was clip the bushes around the signs. Are you kidding me…..YOU CAN’T SEE THE SIGNS UNTIL YOU ARE RIGHT ON TOP OF THE CROSSWALK!! The nice new school up the road has 2 STOP LIGHTS within 50 yards of each other. It would be nice for the City to apply for a grant NOW instead of waiting until another young persons life is taken.

    • I have tried to get the speed limit lowered on Bolz Ranch, but when they did the traffic survey, the limit actually went UP on part of it, just like the 60 mph zone on Rancho Vista! By law, its set based on how fast people drive! It’s nuts but true.

      I will go out and look at the signs you mentioned.

      Re: the subject intersection, the Capital Improvement plan has a lot of intersections identified for upgrades, in a prioritized order. This one is in the upgrade process. The glitch is these grants that pay for these have extra layers of bureaucracy on them, and this one has to jump thru hoops at CalTrans.

    • WJhere- i went out to Bolz Ranch Rd and all the school zone and crossing signs appear OK and installed per prescribed standards . Can you email or call me as to which ones are a problem. And the speed limit does start at 45 near Towncenter, and increases as you go west. I can look into it, again, but as i said, often times the survey results in higher speeds.

      • I work for a very large City and understand bureaucracy….but I also understand that things get pushed through faster when something tragic happens. It’s sad, but it’s true!

        Yes, the speed limit starts at 45 near Towncenter probably because there was already 1 or 2 accidents at the crosswalk near Esperanza. Which is even more scary because that crosswalk is clearly visible! When you head West from Towncenter the speed limit goes up. Yes the signs on clearly visible that a crosswalk and a school are approaching, but when you get to those signs you are traveling 60-65mph around a bend in the street!! Before you know it, you are right on top of the crosswalk.

        I have asked the City of Palmdale if a petition would help to at least place a stop sign there and I was told that it would be a waste of my time. Seriously!! How much does a stop sign costs compared to a child’s life????

        I don’t know if you are a parent or not, but if you are, I’m sure you understand mine and my neighbors concerns.

  14. Palmdale needs bike lanes, like what Mayor Parris is doing across Lancaster. Eliminate a car lane and replace it with a bike lane. God Bless the families and friends of all those affected by this incident.

    • Bike lane won’t help, the drivers must pay attention. By the way, Parris should just concentrate on Lancaster and leave Palmdale alone.

    • That doesn’t sound to well planned out; I figure their would be a lot of car traffic. Long story short, I think people will get irritated with traffic, figure their car fits in the bike lane, use it and possibly cause another accident.

      • yeah because people are selfish and impatient, always in hurry…more than likely wherever they are going will still be there when they eventually get there!! Geesh People Slow down and relax!! have some consideration and Respect for other peoples lives!!!

    • Mayor Parris has weighed in on this by sending his hired hands to attend the vigil. Sick, wrong, perverted, twisted and diabolical on every level. He really is the embodiment of everything that is wrong in our society.

    • ….and make sure you call the R. Rex Parris Law Firm. Over $921 million in settlements.

    • There is no guarantee that 55th and r will even get a 4 way stop. It’s just we as a soccer league and a community are sick of hearing accident after accident. We are going to petition for the light, it’s on the city if they want to protect our kids from the speeding cars that drive by a VERY busy park and fire station. The petition as said will be at the park Saturday but if you can’t make it there please let me know somehow if you want to sign if and maybe I can meet you somewhere. Again you must be 18 old enough to vote. Thank you, and If you feel there needs to be a light at L stand up and try to make a change! One person can cause a huge wave!
      RIP Michael

      • Jackie, I’m so sorry for the loss of this young man. He was obviously very loved by many!

        I wondered if you noticed the quote from the Palmdale City Manager in this article? The process of putting in a signal at this intersection was begun last summer and the $600,000+ grant has just been received. It’s obviously very unfortunate that the process couldn’t have been faster, but the City is doing the best they can to get the signal there. I’m not sure a petition for a light will be able to change the process, since it’s already in motion.

        • Apryl,
          I did see and hear that he said that, I do also know from many years of government service that things don’t always go as planned, so were are just making sure our voices are heard and they follow up with their plans.
          Thank you so much for your condolences and everyone and their continued prayers for the family.

        • Apryl,

          This was not the first accident at that intersection. We have been asking for the 4-way stop for several years now. The City of Palmdale simply didn’t react to our requests. It takes a tragic event like this one to get COP going?

  16. I’m glad that so many people went,the was amazing in the soccer field.I wish I was able to come.You are forever loved Speedy