A bicyclist who was killed in a hit and run incident at Griffith Park yesterday, Saturday April 16, 2022, at roughly 3:49 p.m, has been identified as AIDS/LifeCycle participant Andrew Jelmert. The incident happened during a riding event at 4400 Crystal Springs Drive.
AIDS/LifeCycle posted the following statement on their official Facebook page:
“We are heartbroken to share the news that a cyclist participating in AIDS/LifeCycle’s SoCal Day on the Ride lost their life after being struck by a vehicle yesterday, on April 16,” r “The driver fled the scene but a suspect has been apprehended and is now in custody.
The cyclist was Andrew Jelmert, a five-time participant on AIDS/LifeCycle and member of the team Different Spokes. Leaders at the Center, SFAF, and AIDS/LifeCycle are in contact with Andrew’s family, and extend their deepest condolences to his friends, family, teammates and loved ones.
This is a senseless tragedy, and our hearts go out to everyone who is affected,” said Joe Hollendoner, MSW, incoming CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “We revere each and every participant on AIDS/LifeCycle, who dedicate their time, energy, passion, and power to lift up a cause close to their hearts. We mourn with our community.”
The incident shocked the AIDS/Lifecycle community who are currently training and raising money to participate in this year’s 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles with a goal to raise funds and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Biking in LA reports that this is at least the 30th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the tenth this year in Los Angeles County. Eleven of those deaths have been hit-and-runs.
Andrew Jelmert was a real estate agent at DPP Real Estate. According to his bio, he began his real estate career more than 30 years ago, primarily to establish his own personal financial portfolio and for helping his friends who were seeking advice on how and where to invest their savings. He purchased his first income property 40 years ago from money saved while attending graduate school. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Cooper Union and his MBA degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in management science and finance. He has been a financial consultant to the University of Southern California School of Medicine, as well as financial institutions and manufacturing operations. For the past eleven years, he has served as treasurer of a large condominium project in Honolulu, Hawaii, during which time the reserves of the association have increased fivefold. Before coming to Deasy/Penner, he was a training director at Coldwell Banker Los Feliz and the recipient of numerous sales awards.
About AIDS/LifeCycle
AIDS/LifeCycle is a fully-supported, seven-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It’s a life-changing ride— not a race—through some of California’s most beautiful countryside. AIDS/LifeCycle is co-produced by the Los Angeles LGBT Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation and is designed to advance their shared interest to reduce new HIV transmissions and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV. Lear more at aidslifecycle.org.
An absolute tragedy that a cyclist lost his life due to an out of control driver. Hoping justice is served and the driver faces the maximum sentence for his actions! May the cyclists friends and family have strength during this time of healing and may our local government officials do more to help protect cyclist who continue to lose lives due to unsafe streets and cars!