An El Monte man was identified Wednesday after he was fatally struck by a vehicle while riding an electric bicycle late Monday night, authorities said, prompting an ongoing investigation and a temporary intersection closure as traffic investigators processed the scene.
What authorities have released
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office identified the victim as Esteban Martinez, 48. El Monte police and paramedics responded to the 4100 block of Richwood Avenue, near Bryant Road, about 10:45 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2026, after receiving reports of a collision involving an electric bicycle, according to the El Monte Police Department.
Paramedics rendered aid, but Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene. Police closed the intersection while traffic investigators worked to determine the circumstances that led to the crash. The driver of the vehicle involved stopped and cooperated with investigators, police said.
“Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who may have relevant information or video is urged to contact the El Monte Police Department watch commander at 626-580-2109.”
Scene details and investigative steps
Preliminary information from first responders indicates the e-bike rider may have struck a parked vehicle while traveling through the area, but investigators have not yet released a definitive sequence of events. Video recorded at the scene showed a body on the ground, shoes and other articles of clothing scattered on the street, and the e-bike damaged and lying on its side, according to police reports.
Officers and traffic investigators closed the intersection while they gathered evidence, documented the scene and sought any witness statements or surveillance footage that could shed light on the factors contributing to the collision. The investigation remained ongoing as of Wednesday, with authorities releasing limited details pending further inquiry.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Sept. 14, 2026, about 10:45 p.m. |
| Location | 4100 block of Richwood Avenue, near Bryant Road, El Monte |
| Victim | Esteban Martinez, 48 |
| Vehicle | Passenger vehicle and electric bicycle involved; driver stopped and cooperated |
| Status | Investigation ongoing; witnesses asked to contact police |
Local context and public safety implications
The collision highlights ongoing concerns about road safety for people who use electric bicycles and other micromobility devices in the San Gabriel Valley. El Monte is a city where streets mix heavy commuter traffic, residential blocks and local businesses, and collisions that involve vulnerable road users can quickly become fatal given the speed differential between motor vehicles and bicycles or e-bikes.
Police have not attributed fault or cited contributing factors such as speed, impairment or lighting conditions in this case. By urging witnesses and those with video to come forward, investigators aim to reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash and determine whether roadway design, visibility, parked vehicles or other conditions played a role.
- Authorities are seeking witnesses or anyone with video to contact the El Monte Police Department watch commander at 626-580-2109.
- The El Monte Police Department and Los Angeles County coroner have released limited information pending the conclusion of their inquiries.
- Intersection closures and scene processing were used to preserve evidence and establish the sequence of events.
Residents who regularly travel the Richwood Avenue or Bryant Road corridors should expect police activity or occasional closures while investigations are active. The case will likely proceed through traffic-analysis steps that can take days to complete, and further updates will depend on the findings of investigators and the coroner’s office.
The El Monte Police Department has not disclosed Martinez’s place of residence. No arrests or citations were reported at the scene, and no additional information was immediately available from investigators. The department continues to encourage members of the public with relevant information to come forward to assist the inquiry.
WE NEWS will follow developments and provide updates when investigators release additional details.
