West Traffic Division Detectives Investigate the Unfortunate Death of an 18-year-old Bicyclist NR12418SF

Los Angeles:  On Friday, August 31, 2012, at 9:50 p.m., a fatal traffic collision occurred on De Neve Drive at Charles E. Young Drive North in Westwood.  Jerico Culata, an 18-year-old resident of Los Angeles was riding his bike southbound on De Neve Drive when he ran off the roadway and collided with a cement wall.

Mr. Culata was not wearing a bicycle safety helmet at the time of the collision and was one of more than 700 participants in the monthly Critical Mass Cycling Event.  He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced at 10:05 p.m.

Members of the Los Angeles Police Department would like to strongly encourage the cycling community to wear a safety helmet whenever riding a bicycle.  In addition, all cyclists under the age of 18, are required by law to wear a bicycle safety helmet.

Detectives from West Traffic Division are conducting the investigation. For more information about this traffic collision, please call Detective Deborah Cole at 213-473-0236.