Cyclist dies after crashing into wall at UCLA during mass ride

An 18-year-old man participating in a Critical Mass cycling event Friday night was killed when he lost control of his bike and crashed into a cement wall on the UCLA campus, authorities said.

Jerico Culata, of Los Angeles, was traveling southbound on De Neve Drive about 9:50 p.m. when the accident occurred, said Los Angeles police Officer Sara Faden. He was transported to UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, she said.

It was unclear if Culata was wearing a helmet at the time or if other riders were injured, Faden said. Dozens of riders were participating in the event.

One cyclist told KABC-TV News that Culata was coming down a steep downhill curve when he hit the wall. 

Critical Mass rides are international events that take place on the last Friday of every month. The rides, which are part recreation and part rally against car-dominated roads, usually involve dozens or even hundreds of riders.

The rides made their debut in San Francisco in 1992 and are now staged on six continents.

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