Fatal Bicycle Crash Highlights Pre-Dawn Road Dangers

Fatal Bicycle Collision Near Goshen Highlights Dangers of Pre-Dawn Travel on Rural Tulare County Roads

What Happened

In the early morning hours of Monday, November 10, 2025, a bicyclist was struck and killed in a collision involving a big rig near Goshen in Tulare County. The California Highway Patrol reports the crash occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Drive 60, just north of Avenue 328, along the Highway 99 corridor.

Preliminary information indicates the man, believed to be between 45 and 55 years old, was riding a bicycle that did not have lights or reflectors. Investigators say the cyclist entered the roadway ahead of a Volvo truck pulling a milk tanker. The truck driver reportedly swerved in an attempt to avoid a direct impact, but the rear of the tanker struck the cyclist. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but the rider was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the man’s name, pending identification and notification of next of kin. The investigation remains ongoing.

Early-Morning Visibility Risks for Bicyclists and Truck Drivers

Crashes like this underscore how dangerous pre-dawn travel can be on rural and agricultural roadways, particularly near major freight routes like Highway 99. At 4:30 a.m. in November, it is fully dark, and visibility is often further reduced by factors such as fog, dust, glare from oncoming headlights, or a lack of street lighting. Bicycles are small, quiet, and can be difficult to detect even in daylight; in darkness, detection becomes more challenging without proper lighting and reflective equipment.

Commercial trucks present additional hazards due to their size, length, and blind spots. Tractor-trailers have “no-zones” along the sides, rear, and right-front where bicyclists can be nearly invisible to a driver. Long tankers also have off-tracking and swing that can place trailing units on a different path than the tractor—critical during emergency maneuvers like swerving to avoid an obstacle.

Relevant California Traffic Laws and Safety Standards

- Bicycle lighting and reflectors: California Vehicle Code section 21201(d) requires a white front light visible from at least 300 feet, a red rear reflector (or solid/flashing red rear light) visible from 500 feet, and reflectors on pedals or the rider’s ankles/shoes, plus side reflectors if needed. These requirements are designed to make a bicyclist more conspicuous from all directions during darkness.

- Passing distance: California’s Three Feet for Safety Act (Vehicle Code section 21760) requires motorists to give bicyclists at least three feet when passing. While this statute typically applies when overtaking a bicycle in the same direction, it reflects a broader duty of care toward vulnerable road users.

- Commercial vehicle responsibilities: Trucking companies and drivers must comply with safety regulations that include proper lighting and conspicuity tape on trailers, adequate maintenance and brake performance, and adherence to speed and fatigue-management rules. In a crash investigation, authorities may review logbooks, electronic logging device (ELD) data, dash camera footage, and maintenance records to determine whether all standards were met.

Liability Is Often Shared and Fact-Specific

California uses a comparative fault system. That means each party’s share of responsibility for a collision can be apportioned based on the evidence. If a bicyclist lacked legally required lighting, that factor may be considered. At the same time, motorists—including commercial drivers—must exercise reasonable care, maintain a proper lookout, travel at safe speeds for conditions, and take reasonable steps to avoid collisions.

In many cases, multiple contributors may exist, including roadway design, lighting conditions, vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue, or speed. The fact that a bicyclist may bear some responsibility does not bar recovery; it may simply reduce it proportionally. A thorough investigation is critical to accurately assigning fault.

Key Evidence in Bicycle–Truck Collision Investigations

To determine what happened and why, investigators and experienced attorneys often pursue evidence beyond the initial crash report, including:

- Scene documentation: Measurements of tire marks, gouges, debris fields, and final rest positions; roadway lighting; sight lines; and signage.
- Vehicle data: Truck electronic control module (ECM) data, braking and speed information, dash cam or forward-facing video, and any aftermarket telematics.
- Maintenance and compliance records: Brake and tire condition, lighting and conspicuity tape, pre-trip inspections, prior deficiencies, and hours-of-service compliance.
- Third-party footage: Nearby business or agricultural property surveillance, traffic cameras, and witness cellphone videos.
- Cellphone and distraction analysis: Driver or other party device records when appropriate.
- Visibility and human factors: Clothing contrast, reflectivity, ambient lighting, weather, and driver perception-reaction times.

Collecting this information early—before it is lost or overwritten—can be decisive in understanding causation and liability.

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At Avian Law Group, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim lost in this tragic bicycle accident. The loss of life in a cycling crash is always devastating — a moment of negligence can take away a parent, a child, or a friend, forever altering the lives of those left behind. California’s roads should be safe for everyone, including cyclists who share the roadway with cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles. When that safety is violated through carelessness or recklessness, accountability must follow.

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Fatal bicycle crashes often involve factors such as distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, or unsafe passing distances — all of which are preventable. In recent years, California has enacted stronger protections for cyclists, yet drivers continue to disregard the rules that safeguard vulnerable road users. Our mission at Avian Law Group is to ensure that these laws are enforced, that negligent parties are held responsible, and that grieving families receive justice, closure, and fair compensation for their immeasurable loss.

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Our attorneys have extensive experience investigating and litigating complex wrongful death and personal injury cases involving cyclists. We work closely with accident reconstruction experts, law enforcement, and witness statements to uncover the full truth of what happened. Beyond the legal process, we strive to provide families with the compassion, guidance, and support they need during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

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We recognize that no lawsuit or settlement can bring back a loved one. But pursuing justice can bring accountability — and it can help prevent similar tragedies by reminding every driver that a moment’s distraction or impatience can cost a life.

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If you or someone you love has been affected by a fatal or serious bicycle accident, contact Avian Law Group today for a free and confidential consultation. Our experienced team is available 24/7 to listen, advise, and act swiftly on your behalf. We are committed to standing beside families every step of the way — from investigation to resolution — with the dedication and compassion they deserve.

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At Avian Law Group, we believe that every life matters, and every case is personal. Through advocacy, accountability, and relentless pursuit of justice, we honor those whose lives were tragically cut short on our roads.