In the quiet of a late August night, a life was cut short on the streets of Santa Ana, leaving a community in mourning and a family grappling with unimaginable grief. Andrew Rodriguez, a 39-year-old from Wilmington, was riding his bicycle across North Grand Avenue when tragedy struck. On August 27, 2025, at approximately 11:35 p.m., a vehicle driven by 26-year-old Santa Ana resident Vanessa Anahi Picenavalos collided with Rodriguez near the intersection of Grand and Fairhaven Avenues. Despite desperate efforts by police and paramedics to save him, Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, his life extinguished in an instant.
The Santa Ana Police Department’s preliminary investigation revealed a heartbreaking sequence of events: Rodriguez was crossing the southbound lanes of Grand Avenue when Picenavalos, allegedly driving under the influence, struck him. The intersection, controlled by a traffic signal, offered no clear indication of who had the right-of-way, but the absence of bicycle infrastructure in the area underscored the vulnerability of cyclists like Rodriguez. Picenavalos remained at the scene and was arrested for DUI, now facing charges that could alter the course of her life as profoundly as her actions have devastated Rodriguez’s loved ones.
Rodriguez’s death marks a somber milestone, noted as the 38th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year and the fourth in Orange County alone. The loss reverberates beyond statistics, touching the hearts of those who knew him and igniting calls for greater road safety. The ongoing investigation leaves many questions unanswered, but the Santa Ana Police Department is urging anyone with information to come forward. Detective K. Briley can be reached at 714-245-8215, or the Traffic Division at 714-245-8200, as authorities work to piece together the circumstances of this preventable tragedy.
In the wake of this incident, the community is left to reflect on the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of impaired driving. Andrew Rodriguez’s memory endures, a poignant reminder to cherish every moment and advocate for safer streets for all.