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Bicyclist Struck by Car Dies Minutes Later as His Brother Watches

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Times Staff Writer

A 43-year-old bicyclist who was struck by a car and dragged 30 feet Tuesday morning died minutes later, pinned beneath the vehicle, as his brother came upon the scene and watched helplessly, authorities said.

“He wanted to help his brother because he was still breathing, but nobody let him do anything until the paramedics came, but when they came he was already dead,” said Father Sebastian Fiox, who was consoling the brother later Tuesday at La Purisima Church in Orange.

Francisco Rodriguez was riding his 10-speed bicycle west on Fairhaven Avenue, just past Dunas Road near the city of Orange, when he was struck shortly after 6 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Keith Thornhill said.

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Was Turning Right

The car’s driver, a 76-year-old woman from Orange, was southbound on Dunas when she stopped at the intersection with Fairhaven. As she began to turn right onto Fairhaven, her car struck Rodriguez, Thornhill said.

The woman, who reportedly was driving 5 to 10 m.p.h., apparently never saw Rodriguez, Thornhill said. She eventually stopped the car when she heard scraping sounds.

Rodriguez suffered severe cuts to his liver and lungs, which were crushed, and died at the scene, coroner’s officials said.

Rodriguez, originally from Maltrata Vela Cruz, Mexico, had been living in Orange with his younger brother, Cristobal, and his family since February. He accompanied his brother’s wife and children to this country 2 1/2 months ago, the priest said. Rodriguez and his brother’s family attended La Purisima.

Fiox said Rodriguez had remained in the country for a few months to earn some money before returning to Mexico, where he lived with his wife, son, granddaughter and mother.

Fiox said that the victim was heading for his landscaping job, on 17th Street in Santa Ana, where he worked with his brother when the accident occurred. Rodriguez and his brother usually rode their bikes to work together each morning along the same streets, but on Tuesday, Rodriguez decided to leave a little earlier, Fiox said.

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The two could not afford a car and had to rely on bicycles to make the trip from their small home on Vine Street near the church.

Rodriguez’s brother was about two or three blocks behind him Tuesday morning, Fiox said. “When he passed the place (Tuesday) morning to go to work, he saw his brother under the car and he was still breathing,” Fiox said, adding:

“It was a terrible thing to have him see his brother die like this.”

Fiox said that he didn’t know Rodriguez very well since he only arrived in February but that he had heard from family members that he was a quiet and very loving person. “He always came to church every Sunday and was very loving to his nephews,” the priest said.

Rodriguez’s mother was notified of his death Tuesday night, but Fiox said he was unable to reach his wife and son.

No charges were filed against the driver, officers said.

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