Gabat from his Facebook page.
By Rico Dizon
A 57 year-old resident of Cerritos figured in a fatal bicycle accident that occurred along Figueroa Blvd. in Eagle Rock at dusk early last week.
Edgardo Gabat, a professional cyclist and an engineer by profession, was first pronounced brain dead and finally passed away after admission to an area hospital in Eagle Rock.
Reports said that Gabat was with a group of Filipino cyclists who called themselves “Adobo Belo” during that fateful evening in Eagle Rock.
The group was cruising along Figueroa Boulevard just after sunset when Gabat’s front tire hit a stone that caused his bike to twist sending the victim off the ground and in the process hit the back of his head on the concrete his helmet notwithstanding.
Reports said Gabat, somehow, was still responding when his companions came to his aid before calling 911. However, his condition took turn for the worst upon his arrival in the hospital.
Louie Jamir, a fellow professional biker in his early 60s who lives in Placentia but who did not ride with the group that day, said, “Edgar has ridden at least five 200-mile cruises in just a two-year period which is considered quite above average and more on the aggressive side by our standard.” The dead cyclist’s wife confided to a family friend that her husband was really not keen in joining his group that particular evening but the same somehow persisted because they have two guest riders on that occasion.
Viewings for the body of the late cyclist were held in a funeral parlor in Pasadena where most of his siblings reside. Final interment took place at Rose Hills Cemetery.
