Violent attack on a cyclist reported on Chef Menteur yesterday

I posted a couple of days ago about a vehicular homicide in Eastern New Orleans that resulted in the loose of Ruben J. Soria. Just yesterday another man on a bike became a victim of violent crime. This post showed up in my google alerts today. I don't usually read the New Orleans Murder Blog, but the author does usually report on all the violent attacks of the day that the news sometimes leaves out. The blog doesn't post anything about the victim or their condition, but we hope that he recovers quickly.

I wanted to call this to everyone's attention so you all can be on alert. I don't have any more details on the incident, but if something shows up in the news with a description of the vehicle or license number, I'll be sure to post that. Not sure if this was an attempted theft or personal attack. If this was an attempted theft, please be careful and be alert if anyone approaches you accusing you of riding their "stolen bike."

From The New Orleans Murder Blog

"3) 6900 block of Chef Menteur. On 06-02-09 at 1230pm, the victim was approached by a male who told him the bike he was riding looked like their bike. The victim rode away. The victim noticed the two men following in a car. The victim turned north on Chantilly and heard several gunshots which struck him in the arm and chest. NO East, Shooting"

Cyclist killed last night in New Orleans East in a hit and run

From nola.com:

"Ruben J. Soria, 56, died immediately after a motorist struck him as he pedaled a bike in the 12000 block of Chef Menteur Highway near Paris Road, coroner's chief investigator John Gagliano said Tuesday.

The car didn't stop after striking Soria, police said, and authorities are still looking for the motorist that killed him."

Bicyclist killed in hit and run in eastern New Orleans

This is really terrible, and not the only only hit-and-run that has happened lately. RIP, Ruben Soria. My condolences go out to his family and friends. Hopefully the police are able to figure out who is responsible and bring him or her to justice.

The rest of the details of this incident have not been released yet as the investigation is on-going. If you have any information on this murder, please call Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111 or toll-free at 1.877.903.7867.

If you haven't been out to New Orleans East, it is by far one of the least bike-friendly parts of the city. The roads there are much more suburban in character and route choices to get from one part of the East to the other are extremely limited. Despite how unfavorable it is for cycling, if he was coming or going from Village de L'Est or NASA, Chef Menteur might have been his only option for a route. New Orleans needs to make bicycle improvements a priority throughout the city, including areas outside the core such as the East. The lives of people who live and work in those communities depend upon it.