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HIGHLAND PARK, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 2, 2026 — A man riding an e-bike died on Wednesday night, September 30, after a car struck him on North Figueroa Street in Highland Park. The Los Angeles Police Department said the crash happened around 11 p.m. in the 4500 block.
A gray sedan was heading north in the second traffic lane when it struck the man from behind as he rode his e-bike in the same direction. He was thrown from the bike and hit the roadway. Los Angeles Fire Department crews took the man to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name has not been released.
The driver stayed at the scene and has been cooperating with investigators, authorities said. No arrests had been announced as of Thursday, and the cause of the crash remained under investigation.
Footage from the scene showed a damaged e-bike on the shoulder near a vehicle that officers were examining, but they have not said whether speed or impairment played a role.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
E-Bike Deaths and the Bigger Safety Picture
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, bicycle fatalities decreased from 183 in 2022 to 145 in 2023. That drop is encouraging, but it still means well over a hundred riders died on California roads in a single year, and e-bikes have added new risk factors that older crash data did not fully capture, including higher average speeds and heavier bike frames.
E-bikes let riders keep pace with city traffic, which can put them in the same lane as cars rather than on the shoulder or in a bike lane. At night, a rider traveling in a traffic lane is harder for a driver to spot in time to brake, especially on wider arterial roads like the ones common in Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Statewide totals also don't capture how these crashes cluster. Urban corridors with mixed commercial and residential traffic, limited bike infrastructure, and nighttime commuting patterns tend to see more of these collisions than rural roads do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should someone do right after a car accident?
Call 911, stay at the scene if it's safe, and get medical care even if injuries seem minor. Exchange information with other parties and, if possible, take photos of the scene before vehicles are moved.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
Crashes involving bicycles and e-bikes tend to concentrate on busy urban streets, particularly at night or in areas without dedicated bike lanes, where cyclists share a traffic lane with cars.
What injuries are most common in these crashes?
Riders struck by vehicles usually suffer head trauma, broken bones, and internal injuries from being thrown off the bike. Helmets reduce but don't eliminate the risk of serious head injury.
What to Do After an E-Bike Crash in Highland Park, CA
If you witness or are involved in an e-bike collision, call 911 immediately and stay on scene until first responders arrive. Even if a rider seems alert, internal injuries from being thrown off a bike aren't always obvious right away, so a medical evaluation matters.
Anyone who saw the crash is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department with information. Riders and families affected by a crash like this should also keep a record of any police report numbers and medical treatment for their own records going forward.
