Available 
WHITTIER, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 9, 2026 — A bicyclist was struck by a vehicle on Thursday morning, October 8, at the intersection of Mulberry Drive and Mills Avenue in Whittier. The cyclist was reported down at the scene.
The California Highway Patrol logged the crash shortly before 8:40 a.m. near the Mulberry Drive and Mills Avenue intersection. The incident was classified as a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist.
The extent of the cyclist's injuries has not been released. It's unclear whether the vehicle remained at the scene or whether any citations have been issued.
The crash remains under investigation. No further details, including the cyclist's age, gender, or identity, have been made public.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
Why Bicycle Collisions At Intersections Like Mulberry Drive Can Cause Serious Harm
A car weighs more than twenty times what a bicycle and rider weigh combined, and that gap is the main reason intersection crashes involving cyclists tend to cause more harm than crashes between two vehicles. A bicycle has no frame built to absorb a side impact, and a rider has no crumple zone at all. When a vehicle strikes a bicyclist, nearly all of the force transfers directly to the bike and the person riding it.
Visibility plays a large role in how these crashes happen in the first place. Drivers making turns usually scan for other cars but miss a bicyclist approaching from a blind spot, particularly one created by a vehicle's A-pillar, mirror, or another car stopped nearby. Intersections compound this because a driver's attention is split between oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and signals, leaving less time to spot a narrow, relatively slow-moving bicycle.
A helmet can reduce the chance of a serious head injury, but it does nothing to change the physics of a vehicle striking a bicycle at intersection speeds. Even a car moving at 20 or 25 mph can throw a rider several feet, and there is no safety equipment on a standard bicycle that changes that outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bicycle crashes more common at intersections?
Yes. Intersections are where paths of vehicles and bicycles cross most regularly, and turning or distracted drivers are a frequent factor in these collisions.
What injuries do cyclists commonly suffer in these crashes?
Head injuries, fractures, and road rash are common, even at relatively low vehicle speeds, because a rider has little protection compared to someone inside a car.
What typically causes car-versus-bicycle collisions?
Common factors include a driver failing to see a cyclist before turning, cyclists riding outside a driver's expected path, and reduced visibility at intersections or driveways.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Whittier, CA
If you're involved in or witness a bicycle collision, call 911 right away so paramedics and police can respond. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is worth getting, since some injuries like concussions or internal bruising aren't obvious right away.
Stay at the scene until officers arrive and, if you're able, note details like the time, weather, and traffic signals. Photos of the intersection, any damage, and the vehicles involved can help clarify what happened later. If you're a cyclist who was hit, keep records of any medical visits and follow up with your doctor if symptoms appear in the days after the crash.
