Los Angeles Family Tragedy: Pregnant Mother and Unborn Child Killed in Cycling Collision
LOS ANGELES — A weekend bicycle ride turned to tragedy for a local family, resulting in the death of a pregnant mother and, subsequently, her unborn child. The incident has reignited urgent conversations about road safety and protected cycling infrastructure in Southern California.
Regan Cole-Graham, 36, was cycling alongside her husband, Matt Graham, and their two young sons on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 31, in the greater Los Angeles area. According to preliminary reports, she was struck by a car. Cole-Graham, who was seven months pregnant, succumbed to her injuries. Her baby girl was delivered and rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UCLA Children's Hospital but did not survive.
The family has confirmed the heartbreaking sequence of events through a verified GoFundMe campaign organized to support funeral costs and the future of the couple's sons. "Tragically, Regan's cherished baby girl passed away last night," wrote organizer Carter Fondon. The fundraiser describes Cole-Graham as "a loving & devoted wife, a fierce & joyful mother," and has raised over $109,000 from a community shaken by the loss.
Photos shared on the fundraiser depict a vibrant family: beaming wedding portraits, sunset beach outings with the boys, and images of Cole-Graham proudly cradling her pregnant belly. Independent journalist Chris Cillizza, a college friend of Matt Graham, shared the campaign on social media, writing, "I wanted to share a tragedy with you all... She was struck by a car and killed. She was also 7 months pregnant with their third child -- a little girl."
Details of the collision remain under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, which has not yet released information on potential charges or the circumstances leading to the impact. The case highlights a grim national statistic: pedestrian and cyclist fatalities have reached multi-decade highs, with advocates pointing to larger, faster vehicles and road designs prioritizing car traffic over vulnerable users.
Community Reaction & Analysis
The news has sent waves of grief and anger through local parenting and cycling communities. We spoke to several residents for their perspective.
David Chen, Urban Planning Advocate: "This isn't an 'accident'; it's a systemic failure. We design stroads that are raceways for cars and then act surprised when people on bikes get killed. Los Angeles needs protected bike lanes, now—not just painted lines that offer zero physical protection. My heart breaks for this family."
Maria Rodriguez, Local Parent & Neighbor: "It's every parent's nightmare. To lose a mother and a baby in one moment... it's unthinkable. We ride on those streets with our kids, feeling like we're taking our life in our hands. This has to be a wake-up call for the city. We need safer routes to parks and schools."
James "Jax" Miller, Ride-Sharing Driver: "Look, it's terrible, absolutely. But cyclists have to follow the rules, too. I see them blow through stop signs all the time. Everyone needs to be more careful—drivers, cyclists, everyone. The city's a jungle out there."
Rev. Alisha Thompson, Community Chaplain: "The magnitude of this loss is almost incomprehensible—a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a new life, all gone. The community's financial support shows our collective heart, but the real test is whether this pain leads to lasting change so no other family endures this."
The GoFundMe for the Graham family remains active as they navigate this profound loss. The LAPD continues its investigation into the collision.