One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Australian Tourist Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver While Biking Near PCH
An Australian man visiting Los Angeles was identified as the biker fatally struck by a car near the PCH over the weekend.James Rapley, 29, was riding a rented bicycle eastbound on Temescal Canyon Road near PCH when he was hit from behind by a 1980 Mercedes that drifted into the bike lane at 9:15 a.m. on Dec. 22, reported the Santa Monica Mirror. He was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, where he died, according to PacificPalisades Patch.
The driver was 19-year-old Santa Monica resident Mohammed Kadri, who had stayed on the scene after the tragic crash. The Age and Herald Sun reported that Kadri allegedly was driving under the influence that morning.
Rapley's father John Rapley told 9News that his son, who was working as a software developer in Chicago, had made a stop in Los Angeles a day before heading home to Melbourne for Christmas because he was worried if he stayed in Chicago, his flight could be delayed due to the poor weather conditions.
After Kadri struck Rapley with his car, he was arrested that morning and then later released on $50,000 bail, according to the Santa Monica Mirror. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 16, 2014.
"He was the sort of kid everyone hopes to have as a son," John Rapley told The Age. "I just really want to get the message out that drink driving can affect you anywhere and it's so stupid."
This is the 84th biking fatality in Southern California this year, according to BikinginLA.
Related stories:
Fatal Bike Vs. Car Crash Reported on PCH
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
