Erin Galligan, Venice Cyclist, Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver on the PCH

By Simone Wilson Thu., Jul. 12 2012 at 11:15 AM

Erin Galligan via Facebook

The victim in Bali last year.

A 30-year-old bicyclist who lived in Venice and worked at Craig's restaurant in West Hollywood was killed by a hit-and-run driver late Tuesday night.

Erin Galligan was riding southbound along the right side PCH around 11:15 p.m. when -- according to Santa Monica police -- she swerved into the middle of the nearest lane, where she was struck by a huge white pickup truck. Galligan was thrown so far that investigators reportedly had to search for her body along the side of the highway.

Santa Monica police Sergeant Philbo Rubish tells LA Weekly that as of this morning, there are no leads in the search for the driver. The vehicle has been described as a white 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with an extra row of seats in its cab.

According to Galligan's Facebook profile, she grew up and went to college in Pennsylvania, and has embarked on many wordly travels since then. She has photo albums from places like Bali, Malaysia and Thailand.

Emily Zaler, a semi-famous fitness personality in San Diego, writes on Twitter that she "cannot believe this..another friends life lost too soon." And commenters on the Los Angeles Times article reporting Galligan's death describe her as "a beautiful young woman" who was "full of light and love."

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The BikingInLA blog has a theory as to why Galligan may have been riding along L.A.'s dangerous coastal highway so late at night:

For the last year, a sewer construction project has "required temporary rerouting of the bike path near the walkway under PCH at Entrada" right where Galligan was hit, reports the blog. But the L.A. Department of Public Works said it couldn't afford to light the alternate route. Because of this, writes BikingInLA...

... many riders, particularly women, would be uncomfortable riding on the pathway at night, largely out of sight from drivers on PCH and hidden in the shadows -- especially given the large number of homeless people and others who congregate in that area during daylight hours, let alone after dark.

Police are asking any nearby residents with surveillance cameras if they may have captured the accident on video. Witnesses, as well, should call (310) 458-8954 with any information that could lead to the suspect's capture.

[@simone_electra / swilson@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

bike path, cycling, Erin Galligan, hit-and-run, PCH, Santa Monica police, Venice

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Pedestrian

OR FUCKING SLOW THE SPEEDERS DOWN instead!!!

Pedestrian

Because LA is filled with a bunch of SELFISH ASSHOLES who can't think about anything but their own lives as they speed from red light to red light checking the FB status and acting like they are racing on freeways. Our LADOT for decades has worked to irradicate pedestrians and cyclists from the streets, they remove crosswalks, they widen the roads to racetrack proportions and the assholes who drive around oblivious just push the pedal harder.

Ovelia67

LA is a shithole, glad I left. Learn to swim before it sinks into the sea.

Rolande

or maybe one of the employees! license? insurance?

Seayello64

illegal aliens!

Frank Newcomer

California has way too many hit and run accidents. Why is that?

Mad Max

This is very sad, This makes NO sense. Why would ANYBODY, I mean ANYBODY, be riding on PCH anywhere at this time of night????????? Yes, the driver of said truck is a coward, chickenshit POS!!! Hopefully, said POS will come forward soon.I do doubt the rider was alive after impact, either with vehicle or the roadway after impact. I do remember another fatality years ago along PCH closer to Big Rock area, if not mistaken. female biker was apparently hit, then, while still alive, pulled over and stuffed under some physical structure. Driver left, of course, and aday or days later the victim found. I'll never forget that one and I gave up riding PCH some 30 + years ago. Stay off PCH, I don't care how much fun you think it is.

Ragingbull237

rip erin... how would police know she swerved into the nearest lane??? Witnesses say she swerved into lane??? Witnesses couldnt ID the exact vehicle or plate number??? makes me angry!

lives on Entrada

I'd take my chances on the bike path with the homeless, who mainly just want to be left alone, rather than on PCH with some of those nasty ass speeder creeps. I drive an EV. Some of those guys will tailgate or menace me by passing too close. I can't imagine what it would be like to ride a bicycle on that street at night. We just got a stop sign placed up the street on Entrada from where Erin was killed. Predictably the entitled asswipes who cut through our residential neighborhood where there is an elementary school at freeway speeds are bitching and moaning. I'll bet when the driver is caught they will find he spent the evening drinking at one of the Mailbu restaurants.

M D

wonder why she swerved right into traffic on one of the most dangerous highways around here? PCH at any hour, especially so late at night, is like death row for cyclists. Probably should just make it unlawful to ride a bike down PCH to begin with since there's a cyclist death pretty much every week. Not blaming her, but it's just a dangerous stretch where everyone drives fast and loose.

BeSafe

My condolences to Erin's family & friends. I can't imagine... It always scares me to see people riding bikes on PCH. A road that, to me, appears to be more like a freeway. In fact, I commonly see more reckless drivers on PCH than Freeways. They're much more unpredictable. The thought of riding on it at night, horrifies me. Rest in peace.

Ianp Poush-lifelong friend.

Erin will be missed by so many. Her smile was infectious and as the article states she was in fact full of light and love. Goodbye Erin.

A B

amazing how there are so many creeps out on the road. here, let me hit a cyclist and just drive off! The number of criminals out on the streets must be massive.

David

So sad. This was someone's daughter, girlfriend, and sister... left for dead by the driver! Who left the scene. She was left for f#@&!ng dead. The laws for hit-and-run drivers have to change in California. It's too easy for people to decide to leave; rather than stay and help. How someone could do this to another human is beyond comprehensible. Merciless. Regards to her friends and family, may the universe find her killer and may Erin rest in peace! RIP.