Robert Fore Killed in Santa Ana Bicycle Accident
The 72-year-old was rear-ended by a vehicle near McFadden Avenue and Fairview Street
Robert Fore, 72, of Santa Ana, was killed in a bicycle crash near McFadden Avenue and Fairview Street in Santa Ana, California, on Sept. 4, according to police.
The collision occurred just before 7 p.m. as the cyclist was rear-ended by a vehicle and knocked to the pavement. Officers working nearby witnessed the impact and immediately rushed to provide aid. Fore did not survive. Despite lifesaving measures, paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. The victim's daughter, Robin Fore, said her father spent much of his life helping people with mental health issues.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the intersection and is cooperating with investigators.
The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit is handling the ongoing inquiry.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,166 pedalcyclist fatalities occurred nationwide in 2023, accounting for nearly 3% of all traffic deaths.
The sudden loss of a family member in a traffic collision leaves relatives searching for answers while managing unexpected grief. As the Santa Ana Police Department continues its inquiry into the McFadden Avenue collision, investigators will examine vehicle speeds, right-of-way, and driver distraction.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Intersections remain some of the most dangerous spots for bicyclists because turning vehicles often fail to check carefully for riders approaching quietly from the side or rear before making a sudden turn onto a new street."
"A legal team spends early hours locating witnesses and reviewing signal timing to build an accurate picture of exactly how a fatal collision unfolded," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How will investigators determine fault at the McFadden Avenue intersection?
What happens next for the family of the deceased cyclist?
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.
"Right turning vehicles at busy intersections create hazardous situations for bicyclists traveling alongside motor traffic," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "A legal team helps impacted family members preserve nearby traffic camera footage, analyze vehicle turning movements, review driver cell phone usage records, assess road design factors, and fight for full financial recovery."