Family of pregnant Google exec blames LA bike lane removal after fatal crash
A pregnant Google executive was killed and her newborn daughter died after an 87-year-old driver struck them while biking in Playa del Rey, and the family says the city's removal of bike lanes contributed to the tragedy.
In February, Regan Cole-Graham, a Google consumer-marketing lead, was struck by an 87-year-old driver while biking with her toddler son on Pershing Drive in Playa del Rey. The crash killed the 36-year-old mother and her newborn daughter, Ophelia, who later passed away after a premature birth. Her toddler sustained minor injuries, and her husband, Matt Graham, and their other child were unharmed.
The family’s lawyer, Brian Breiter, contends that the city’s removal of bike lanes from Pershing Drive removed a critical safety buffer for cyclists. The driver has not faced criminal charges, and the family plans to file a wrongful-death suit against Los Angeles. A GoFundMe fundraiser has collected more than $302,000, though the family says it cannot replace their loss.
Why it matters
The case highlights how urban infrastructure decisions can affect cyclist safety and may prompt policy reviews.
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