Jonathon R. Ramirez, 22, died in a San Diego bicycle accident the night of June 19, 2009, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Ramirez, an art student, was riding his bicycle in Pacific Beach when a car exiting the northbound 5 Freeway at the Grand Avenue off-ramp struck him. Ramirez was taken to an area hospital where he died the following day from head and neck injuries.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jonathon Ramirez for their heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Ramirez. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics (http://www.chp.ca.gov/switrs/pdf/2007-sec8.pdf), there were four fatal bicycle accidents and 392 bicycle accidents involving injuries reported in the city of San Diego. In San Diego County as a whole, 11 deaths and 797 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of bicycle accidents.

In this particular case, based on the newspaper report, it is not very clear how or why this fatal bicycle accident occurred. There are many unanswered questions here. How did the driver strike Ramirez? Was Ramirez riding his bicycle in a marked lane at the time of the accident? Who had the right-of-way at the time of the collision? Was Ramirez walking alongside his bike or riding the bicycle at the time of the accident? Was there a dangerous road condition at the off-ramp? The answers to these questions will help determine whether there was negligence or wrongdoing involved and who or what should be held responsible for Ramirez's fatal injuries. I trust accident investigators are looking into whether the motorist who struck Ramirez was inattentive, distracted or intoxicated at the time of this bicycle accident.

Experienced San Diego County bicycle accident attorneys will be able to determine the facts of the case and identify the negligent parties. Skilled car accident attorneys will also be able to determine whether a dangerous condition on the roadway may have caused or contributed to this fatal bicycle accident. If that was the case, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.