Source: Word is just coming in that yet another Southern California bicyclist has been killed — the 13th to die on SoCal streets this month alone. According to a report from KTLA-5, the cyclist, who has not yet been publicly identified, was riding on northbound Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach when he was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver around 4:19 pm Saturday. The collision occurred at the intersection of 8th Street and PCH in the Sunset Beach district. Emergency responders found the victim lying unconscious and seriously injured in the middle of the roadway; he was declared dead at the scene. No word yet on how the collision occurred, however, police arrested the driver, Becki Lee James of Huntington Beach, on suspicion of driving under the influence. Anyone with information is urged to call police at 714/536-5670. This is the 42nd cycling fatality in Southern California this year, and 7th in Orange County; the victim is also the 6th cyclist killed by a suspected drunk driver in SoCal this year. My prayers and sympathy for the victim and his family. Update: An anonymous source has identified the victim as 52-year old Kenneth Prevatte, which has just been confirmed by the Orange County Register; the Register says he’s from Long Beach. A comment from Allan indicates that he was wearing full road kit when he was killed, suggesting that he may have been an experienced road rider.
Collision Data
Crash time: between 3 p.m. and 5:59 p.m.
Closest Intersection: 8th St
Land use: Rural
Road type: Rural Arterial
Where on the road the collision happened: Bike Facility
What type of bike facility: Bike Lane
Collision type: Rear-end
Driver Data
Vehicle type: Automobile
At crash time driver was: Alcohol/Drugs
Sources
Source: News ReportType: Blog
Pos/Neg: Positive
Link if Website: http://bikinginla.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/breaking-news-cyclist-killed-by-suspected-drunk-driver-in-sunset-beach/
Source: News Report
Type: Newspaper
Pos/Neg: Neutral
Link if Website: http://www.ocregister.com/news/beach-366042-bicyclist-police.html
Legal Status
Legal status: FelonyAgainst: Against Driver
Civil Suit filed?:
Settled?:
In favor of:
Type of Charge: felony DUI causing great bodily injury & gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated

I am an old friend and colleague of Ken. We worked together in Georgia many moons ago. I saw him about three years ago in California when his life in So. Cal was in full swing and so was his fitness. With his kids growing older, he was committed to the west coast and seemed very happy out here (I now live in Northern Cal). In any case, Ken was meticulous and well researched in everything he did. From the way he dressed, maintained his car, filed each sheet of paper in its place at the office, played softball…. to the way he demonstrated his love for family…. it was well done. He had a broad skill set, he was a people manager, and was quick/smart/witty, very humble and back when we ‘hung’ kind of a techno junky. He liked cools toys…. I bet his bike was even progressive! Ken had to be the same kind of cyclist… a respectful cyclist expectant of his “shared” responsiblity on the road… a careful and aware and defensive-riding cyclist. Hard to imagine that Ken would have been the victim of a near miss. I picture an intrusive and grossly negligent act by the driver…. something ugly and invasive and out of control. The exact opposite of what Ken was, but exactly what Ken would have planned/expected to be out there on the road. Time had to be against him for this to happen. Only a sudden and immediate act… with literally an impossible window of time for reaction…. could have taken him. I can’t help but be outraged. Just don’t know how else to feel. God’s speed to all of his kids…. the littlest - Sam - I never met, Kay, Sophia, his parents and siblings. Just too much to take in. We lost one of the good guys. Rise up cycling community. Much public awareness/support is needed to increase safety in your sport. Rise up.
Worked with Ken for the last 5 years. I am so angry that this happened to him. He was such a nice person, always, always, very respectful, proud, humble, and giving. When I heard the news on Monday I was so very upset that someone was so careless on the road. I’m so sorry this happened to such a nice man.
We honor you Ken and will miss you for a very long time. I am so lucky that I was able to walk on the same path of such a good man. My prayers to his wife, sister, parents, and all who knew him.
I had known Ken for so many years and we talked as recently as July 23rd. I am just shocked at the loss of such a good soul. RIP Ken. I will miss him as a friend and as a professional .
My condolences to the family. I hope God gives them strength to bear this loss.
I so appreciate every response by friends and colleagues, and all your comments are so true and descriptive of a wonderful, wonderful man. He was the best son anyone could ever have; he was so loved by his family, and we will miss him every hour of every day. This is by far the most difficult thing we have ever experienced in our lives. There are no words to describe the pain we feel. May God bless all those who knew and loved him.
Flora Prevatte
Mother of Kenneth
If you would like to say something in memory of this cyclist, or if you have any additional information about the crash, please comment here. Comments are moderated, and will appear as soon as they are approved.