MENDOCINO CO., 10/28/18 — Community members gathered last week for a memorial in honor of Xamuel Lara, a Covelo resident who was struck and killed by a dump truck in Ukiah on September 14. The memorial, which took place on October 23, included a bicycle ride organized by Walk and Bike Mendocino, and a ceremony at the location where Lara was killed, at the intersection of Talmage Rd. and Hastings St.
Lara, a local farmer and activist, was well-loved in the community, and his death sparked an outpouring of emotion from around the county, including calls for increased road safety measures for cyclists. No one was charged in his death, though the investigation my not be entirely resolved.
During the ceremony, his friends locked a “ghost bike” — a bicycle painted white that is a frequently used memorial for cyclists who die on the road — near the location where he was killed, along with offerings to commemorate his passing.
Here’s our coverage of Lara’s collision and the ongoing investigation. No further information has been released by the investigating agencies as of the time of publication.
We sent photographer Josh Bowers to follow the memorial ride.