{"id":10052,"date":"2026-09-30T19:38:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T19:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/?p=10052"},"modified":"2026-10-01T00:30:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T00:30:38","slug":"standing-with-the-martinez-family-la-critical-mass-rides-to-hyde-park-and-joins-the-vigil-for-hernan-martinez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/standing-with-the-martinez-family-la-critical-mass-rides-to-hyde-park-and-joins-the-vigil-for-hernan-martinez\/","title":{"rendered":"Standing With the Martinez Family: LA Critical Mass Rides to Hyde Park and Joins the Vigil for Hernan Martinez"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Los Angeles cyclists are grieving again \u2014 and this time, the loss hits painfully close. <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Sixteen\u2011year\u2011old Hernan Martinez<\/strong> was killed in Hyde Park, and his family is now living through the nightmare no parent should ever face. In response, cyclists from across the city came together in solidarity, forming a united front of support, love, and collective outrage at yet another preventable death on our streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last night, LA Critical Mass cyclists linked up with our Security Advisory Director, Shannon Brown<\/strong>, and the Taco Tuesday Bike Ride. Shannon leads the Taco Tuesday ride every Tuesday evening.<\/em> Together, we rolled out from Culver City and pushed east toward Hyde Park. Cyclists came from all over Los Angeles and surrounding cities, forming a diverse group united by grief, determination, and a shared commitment to stand with the Martinez family during their vigil for Hernan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This wasn\u2019t a casual meetup. It was a deliberate act of community \u2014 a statement that the Martinez family is not alone, and that Hernan\u2019s life will not be forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dozens of cyclists<\/strong> showed up to support the Martinez family, riding with Taco Tuesday<\/strong> from Culver City to Hyde Park in a powerful show of unity and love.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Martinez Family\u2019s Strength, Warmth, and Courage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the cyclists arrived, they were met by dozen of Martinez family members \u2014 a large, close, deeply loving family that showed extraordinary warmth despite their heartbreak. They greeted riders with kindness, spoke with them, thanked them for coming, and welcomed them into their space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They offered food, and everyone ate together. It was simple, human, and deeply meaningful \u2014 a moment where grief and community blended into something that felt like healing, even if only for a night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Martinez family was not distant or overwhelmed by the crowd. They were present. They were open. They were grateful. And they made sure every cyclist felt welcomed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eliseo Martinez stood with our cyclists<\/strong> and spoke openly about the reality of mourning his little brother. He shared how much he misses Hernan, how deeply it hurts, and how hard it is to believe he\u2019s gone. Even in his pain, Eliseo greeted everyone with warmth and honesty, reminding us why we ride in solidarity with his family.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Their strength was also evident earlier this month, when members of the Martinez family attended the September LA Critical Mass ride<\/strong>. They spoke directly with our cyclists about the horrific traffic violence that took Hernan\u2019s life, sharing their pain, their truth, and their determination to seek justice. Their presence reminded everyone that this tragedy is not abstract \u2014 it is real, it is devastating, and it happened to a family that rides with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During the September 2026 LA Critical Mass main break<\/strong>, Lisa \u2014 President of LA Critical Mass \u2014 and Damien Kevitt, Executive Director of SAFE, stood with the Martinez family for a photo. The sadness, grief, and mourning were unmistakable as the community surrounded Eliseo and his family with support, love, and solidarity.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Advocates and Survivors Standing Together<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The vigil brought together not only cyclists, but advocates and survivors who understand this pain firsthand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kellie and Eddie Montalvo of SAFE Corona IE<\/strong>, who lost their own son Benjamin, were present \u2014 offering the kind of support only a family who has lived through this kind of loss can give.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This gathering wasn\u2019t just a vigil. It was a coalition of families, advocates, and cyclists who refuse to accept that traffic violence is normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cyclists gathered in front of the Martinez family\u2019s home<\/strong>, where they were greeted, welcomed, and fed with heartfelt generosity. Family members served Mexican sweet bread, tostadas, tamales, and drinks \u2014 the love never stopped, even as the Martinez family mourned and hurt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Community That Shows Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ride to Hyde Park, the vigil, the shared food, the conversations, the tears \u2014 all of it reflects what LA Critical Mass has always been:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A community that shows up. A community that supports families in their darkest moments. A community that demands accountability. A community that refuses to let victims be forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hernan\u2019s name will be carried through the streets of Los Angeles. His family will not stand alone. And the cycling community will continue to fight until this city finally protects the people who ride its streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We ride for Hernan.<\/strong>
We ride for the Martinez family.<\/strong>
We ride for every life stolen by traffic violence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cyclists gathered in front of the Martinez family\u2019s home<\/strong>, speaking with relatives, SAFE advocates, Damien, Kelly and Eddie, and Lisa, the President of LA Critical Mass. After everyone finished talking and sharing food, the cyclists continued down the street to visit the spot where Hernan\u2019s flowers and candles were placed \u2014 the site of the tragic accident.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Support the Martinez Family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Martinez family has opened a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses, medical costs, and the overwhelming financial burden that comes with sudden tragedy. We are including their GoFundMe link so the cycling community and the broader public can support them directly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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