A 36-year-old pregnant woman riding an electric bicycle with her family in Playa del Rey was struck from behind around 6 p.m. Saturday near Pershing Drive and Manchester Avenue and later died at a hospital, police said. Doctors delivered her baby girl, who died the next day, relatives said.
The woman was identified by family members as Regan Cole-Graham, a mother of two who was seven months pregnant. Los Angeles police said the southbound driver, described as an older man in a Toyota Camry, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Detectives said alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors. The crash has prompted a homicide traffic investigation that will determine whether the case is forwarded to prosecutors. The deaths renewed attention on a busy beach-adjacent corridor where residents and cyclists say weekend traffic moves fast between parking lots and homes.
Cole-Graham was riding an e-bike alongside her husband and their two young sons when the collision occurred, police said. Their three-year-old was seated in a child saddle on her bicycle; he was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, relatives said. The impact ejected Cole-Graham onto the roadway as the car continued several yards before stopping, according to police. Paramedics rushed mother and child to a hospital, where Cole-Graham was pronounced dead that night. Physicians performed an emergency procedure to deliver the 31-week-old infant, who was transferred to neonatal intensive care. The baby died the following day, the family said. “She loved life and loved playing with her kids,” family friend Chrystal Caban said. Neighbors returned Monday to find flowers and candles near the intersection.
Investigators said the preliminary account points to a rear-end collision on a straight section of Pershing Drive just south of Los Angeles International Airport. Officers documented tire marks, damaged bicycle parts and dents on a white Camry, and began canvassing for witnesses who drove through the area between 5:45 and 6:15 p.m. Saturday. Police said the driver called for help and spoke with officers at the scene. Officials did not release his name, citing the ongoing inquiry. Hospital staff notified detectives Sunday afternoon after the infant’s death. Technicians collected the bicycle and clothing for lab review and took measurements to map the roadway. Friends and colleagues described Cole-Graham as a devoted parent and a meticulous professional who worked in technology and media roles.
Public records and local news accounts show that Pershing Drive and nearby beach routes carry heavy weekend traffic and past debates over lane configurations. In recent years, Los Angeles officials removed and adjusted bikeway elements in the area, drawing criticism from cycling advocates and some residents who remain divided over how to balance safety and congestion. Memorials have appeared at the site this week, with stuffed animals, sunflowers and photos taped to a light pole. Similar crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians in the city have spurred periodic calls for more protected lanes and targeted enforcement, though the specifics of Saturday’s collision remain under investigation. Friends said Cole-Graham joined Google in 2019 and previously worked in telecommunications, adding that she was known for patience and humor at work and warmth at home.
Police said the investigation will include vehicle inspections, witness interviews, standard toxicology screening and a review of nearby business cameras and traffic devices for video. Collision reconstructions typically take weeks, according to detectives. Once reports are complete, the case file will be sent to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office to determine whether any charges are warranted. Authorities said they will release updates when the investigative report is forwarded and if prosecutors set a timetable for a decision. Funeral plans are being coordinated by family members, who asked for privacy while arrangements are made.
By midweek, cyclists slowed near the growing roadside display and rang their bells before moving past. Neighbors paused beside beach cruisers and e-bikes leaned against a rail. “We’ll be here for the family as long as it takes,” a neighbor said during an evening vigil. Friends recalled Cole-Graham’s energy and attention to detail, saying she organized playdates and kept meticulous notes for her children’s schedules. Co-workers left messages at a memorial and described her as calm under pressure and quick to celebrate others’ wins.
As of Thursday, police said the driver had not been arrested and the inquiry is continuing. Detectives planned additional measurements at the scene and new interviews in the coming days. Officials said they will issue an update when the case is sent to prosecutors.
Author note: Last updated February 6, 2026.