Los Angeles: On Monday, December 29, 2003, at about 2:50 p.m., a fatal traffic collision occurred at the intersection of 7^th Street and Vermont Avenue. The victim, a 41 year-old Asian male, was stopped and straddling his bicycle on the northeast corner of 7^th Street and Vermont Avenue when he was struck by a Metropolitan Transit Authority bus. The bus was making a right turn from westbound 7^th Street to northbound Vermont Avenue.

According to a witness, the victim was stopped on his bike westbound, slightly beyond the northeast curb. As the bus made the right turn, the front tire of the bicycle was caught by the right side of the bus and the victim was dragged underneath the bus.

Several witnesses attempted to alert the driver of the bus after the collision, however, the driver did not realize what had occurred and continued on his route. He was notified shortly after by deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and was returned to the scene.

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and transported the victim to Good Samaritan Hospital. Despite life saving efforts, the victim died as a result of his injuries and pronounced dead at 3:10 p.m. The name of the victim is not available pending notification to his family.

The driver of the bus was not arrested and he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The investigation is on going and being conducted by Central Traffic Detectives. For further information, contact Detective Johnny Meneses or Detective Felix Padilla, at 213-485-3111.

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.