San Diego

Bicyclist Dies After Being Hit by Truck in Chula Vista

A bicyclist died in a hospital after being struck by a pick-up truck in Chula Vista Tuesday night.

The bicyclist, identified Thursday as 44-year-old Eduardo Garduno of Chula Vista, was riding eastbound on Palomar Street when a Toyota Tacoma struck him, the Chula Vista Police Department said.

Garduno was transported to UCSD Medical Center with traumatic injuries to his heads and legs. He was pronounced dead less than an hour and a half later.

He leaves behind a wife and three sons. They say they found out he was taken to a hospital by tracking his cell phone. When they got to this hospital they saw his helmet.

Garduno's 16-year-old son Ivan had to tell his mom, who doesn't speak English, that his father was killed doing something he does every day.

"It was hard for me," Ivan said. "I knew she was going to cry once I told her. I knew it was going to be painful for her, me and the whole family."

Now all Ivan and his family have are photos of their dad and the memory of his personality.

"He would always try to make everyone laugh, he would motivate other people when they needed it, that's just how he was," Ivan said.

Several people witnessed the crash and called 911 to report it. One witness told police he saw the bicyclist enter the intersection on a red light. The truck driver had a green light, the witness told CVPD.

The truck driver stayed at the scene and did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, CVPD said.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner said Garduno died of multiple blunt force injuries and ruled the incident an accident.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.

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