The Antelope Valley Times

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Cyclist struck, killed by car

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fatal crashPALMDALE – A 40-year-old man on a bicycle was struck and killed by a car early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The fatal collision happened around 4:40 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, on Sierra Highway north of Pearblossom Highway, according to a California Highway Patrol report.

Jeff Aubrey McGrath of Palmdale was riding his bicycle southbound on Sierra Highway in the No. 2 lane when he was struck by a 2006 Toyota Corolla that was traveling southbound on Sierra Highway, the CHP report states.

“The front of the Toyota Corolla collided into the bicycle, resulting in fatal injuries to Mr. Jeff McGrath,” the CHP report states.

The Corolla’s driver, 50-year-old Ingrid Gallardo-Sanchez of Palmdale, was not injured in the collision.

“At this time intoxication does not appear to be a factor,” the CHP report states.

Sierra Highway was closed from south of Barrel Springs to Pearblossom Highway for approximately two hours following the collision.

The traffic collision is still under investigation, and no further information was available Wednesday.

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Filed Under: Palmdale

21 comments for "Cyclist struck, killed by car"

  1. I agree with sharing the road; however, bicyclist and motorcyclist put their lives in danger every day that they drive the streets and freeways. If a person is going to ride their bike that early in the morning, then they should wear reflective gear. It’s unfortunate that this woman hit this bicyclist (a good woman with morals for staying at the scene) I have been out at 3:00 AM to pick my son up and there used to be a man on the Sierra Hwy bike TRAIL who wore reflective gear. All bicyclist should to protect their own lives AND WEAR HELMETS. Drivers can only do their best and this is why an accident is called an “Accident”
    On my way to work in the mornings, I can can’t tell you how many college students do NOT wear helmets on their way to school. If a car hits them, they will be killed instantly. No one deserves to lose their lives but sadly this was an accident and no one is to blame – it’s unfortunate that it happened and I don’t wish it upon anyone. My best friend has a very close friend who was driving on the bridge at L and a car hit her. She lived; however, half of her skull was removed. She can swim and do light things but it almost took her life. Our streets are too busy to be on a bike. As for me personally, I wouldn’t get on a bike on these streets, never have and I hope I never have to. If you have to or want to, wear a helmet and wear reflective gear al ALL times. And as a driver, I will do my best to be alert – I don’t mind sharing the road at all but sometimes these bikes just roll up on you faster than an eagle. When I was near Charlie Browns on the 138 some time back, there was a man on a bike (Had all protective gear) but he had both hands off the handle bars and he was playing with his Ipod – just like drivers, bikers need to protect themselves as well. No one desserves to lose their lives and I am sorry that this young man did. If you have to ride your bike, ride it on the curb – these streets are not safe for bikes.

  2. I am an avid cyclist and driver. I don’t know the circumstances in this case. That area is a 2 lane highway and rather narrow and very dark at the time posted in the article. Drivers need to be aware of everything possible on that road. Also riders need to make sure they are wearing reflective gear and their bicycles have adequate lighting when riding in these conditions. It’s so sad when these accidents occur. So many people’s lives are turned upside down.

    • I agree – the right equipment makes a huge difference – not kidding. In the very early AM I see one man with a headlight on his bike and a vest with reflective strips – hard to miss him.

  3. The road conditions in the AV, including lack of bike lanes, lack of adequatae lighting, lack of shoulder (example: Ave O between Sierra Hwy and 30th W), and high speed limits, make this a very dangerous place to ride a bike.

  5. This is a true tragedy. All drivers are responsible when driving . But lately all you hear in the news is how the other person fled. This driver was decent enough to stay. She knew a accident had happened. My belief is the city was at fault too. I’ve been down that area and there are no street lights or a bike lane. The city always does fixes on streets once it’s too late. Ave s has a bike lane. The city as well should be held responsible . My thoughts and prayers for both families go out to them.

      • No. I’m human . Obviously you must not live on the eastside of palmdale.
        I’ll let your ignorance be. Don’t speak unless you have witnessed accidents that could have been prevented. No I’m not a lawyer. I’m educated.

        • C, No I don’t live on the East side thank god but I did at one time. The only ignorant person here is you. Realy don’t need to witness this accident unless he was invisible this was avoidable. Also never did say you are uneducated but you are ignorant. Like I said blame some one else It’s the easy way out.

          Buy the way the east isn’t much different from the west.

      • How did you read that comment and get “not blame the driver” out of it? The guy SAYS he is educated, you SHOW that you aren’t. Learn to read.

    • There’s a lot we don’t know. Visibility is bad at that time of the morning there. Did the rider have lights on his bike? If so, he could have contributed. Just saying. It’s just bad all the way around.

  6. A very sad situation.
    This man lost his life and this lady has to live the rest of her life with this.
    Folks please ALWAYS be attentive while your driving and riding your vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and other means of transportation, fitness or fun.
    Please realize that not all motorists are jerks trying to run you off the road and not all cyclists are trying to get in your way and make you late for work. It’s about safety! Not who’s following traffic laws and the rules of the road. SAFETY.
    I wouldn’t try to put your life at risk in my automobile or on my bike. Most of us do but everyone should.
    RIP Mr. McGrath
    Thoughts go out to you as well Mrs. Gallardo-Sanchez. I’m sure this isn’t easy on you either.

  7. We ride that early due to the heat but thats irrelevant the law is 3′ and we can ride any time. If one can’t pay attention they should not be driving. A number of motorist appear to think funny to get as close to a cyclist as they can but I’m not saying this is the case here. This is a horrible “accident” that is/was 100% avoidable people honk, yell, through things etc. drivers don’t own the road it’s the drivers responsibility to pull their head out of their butt and pay attention.

    I didn’t know Jeff but my heart goes out to his family.

  8. RIP Jeff. You will be missed. May you enjoy the afterlife with God, you lived a blessed life. The Things that you sought with the Lord are now yours.

  9. God Bless you Jeff Aubrey McGrath. May you soar with the angels. I am so sorry for your death, but there is no death. Love and prayers for your family.

  10. 4:30 in the am the last thing I would look for someone on a bicycle. My prayers to both families. The driver was decent enough to stop. You hear so many hit and runs lately. God bless all involved.

    • That is really inappropriate to say and lazy. You should look at all hours as you are to share the road always not just when you feel like it!

    • I see guys riding their bikes on Sierra Hwy and Pearblossom Hwy all the time. These are roads where cars are traveling at 70 mph. To put that much trust on someone else not to hit you is insane, let alone when it’s dark.

        • Carlos, I have got to agree with you. On the 138 sometime back, a guy in full protective gear was riding his bike with his hands off the handlebars and doing something with his IPod with tons of cars on this road. Everyone was afraid to hit him so he slowed traffic down to about 10 MPH for about 90 seconds, maybe a little less. BUT because his eyes were on his IPod, he could have easily steered out into traffic and been hit or thrown off his bike from those rocks in that dirt. He looked like a professional cyclists and had FULL hear but playing with your IPod on the 138 at 5:00 PM is dangerous.

    • I have a close family member that is a cyclist (he had some close calls on the AV roads and has since quit due to safety) and I’m all about share the road, but it is only human to not expect to have to watch out for one when there is no natural light. Share the road, yes. And our AV cyclists need to keep in mind that this is a very dangerous place to be on a bicycle – the lack of shoulders, bike lanes, and street lights (and the lack of a large cycling population makes drivers even less prepared when we do encounter one) means RISK for any ped.

      Godspeed to Mr McGrath. Every AV cyclist, recreational or commuter, could use a little prayer that they all get home safe.