FOLLOWUP: ‘Ghost bike,’ memorial ride for Fauntleroy crash victim

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

That “ghost bike” memorial has just been installed along SW Wildwood in Fauntleroy, where a Vashon bicyclist died Monday morning after the driver of a box truck hit her (WSB coverage here). We learned more about her from a family spokesperson who was there with her friends from the Rainbow Riders bicycling group. The spokesperson told us,”this was a huge preventable loss” and that, “the street needs to be safer. When any bike rider dies, you know it could have been you.” We’re expecting to have more information soon. Also, the group Critical Mass is planning a memorial ride for her, to this ghost bike and another one for a rider killed in the Central District, starting at 6:30 pm Friday, June 26, from Westlake Park downtown.

3:38 PM: The King County Medical Examiner has just publicly identified the rider as 76-year-old Maridee Bonadea.

Lauren June 16, 2026 (6:57 pm)

Rest in peace, Maridee.

Kayo June 16, 2026 (7:41 pm)

This is so heartbreaking. Deepest condolences to her loved ones.

Foop June 16, 2026 (8:04 pm)

Local vashon paper did a really good story.we lost a genuine hero this week because the city is too cowardly to take bold action on vision zero and because a truck driver wanted to save 10 seconds to get to a stop sign. this was a completely preventable tragedy and the world is dimmed without Maridee in it.https://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/2026/06/16/for-maridee-bonadea-biking-meant-everything/

Thomas June 18, 2026 (4:47 pm)

How was it even remotely the truck drivers fault? If you want to blame someone blame the people who park their cars there. Because the parked car is what caused the accident

North Admiral Cyclist June 16, 2026 (8:25 pm)

Quite a different account of the terrible truck/bicycle accident has come forward in a recent Beachcomber article (a Vashon news outlet). The account by a West Seattle eye witnesses, outlines a greater degree responsibility on the part of the truck driver. It sounded fishy from the get-go for the initial police reports to parrot the usual blame often placed on bicyclists, as it was way too soon for the police to release any kind of account of the tragedy. Too often car culture institutional bias within the ranks of law enforcement leads to hasty conclusions implicating the party that is not there to give their own account. I encourage the WSB to follow up on the story.

K June 17, 2026 (3:19 am)

There were comments in the WSB story as well as a letter they published alongside the police narrative that painted the same picture. That the truck was trying to pass the bicycle without leaving enough space, which trapped her against the parked car and put her in harm’s way when she faltered. I hope TCIS takes these eyewitness accounts, of which there seem to be a few that concur, into account for their final report. What’s crazy is that the narrow stretch before the stop sign is only a couple blocks. Even if passing the bike had been successful it wasn’t saving any real amount amount of time. What a horrible, avoidable tragedy.
- Thomas June 18, 2026 (4:49 pm)
  
  Incorrect witness statements claim the truck was almost completely in the other lane while going around the bicyclist.
Scarlett June 17, 2026 (7:24 am)

Let’s wait for the outcome of the investigation, or at least details to become available, before we conduct a public lynching of the driver. Everyone deserves a fair hearing regardless of what the circumstances may appear to be; trying to discredit the results of the investigation before they are released is a form of bias itself. Meanwhile we can mourn this woman’s death and work together to improve the safety of the area.

KT June 16, 2026 (9:16 pm)

She lived an amazing life. Condolences to her family.https://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/2026/06/16/for-maridee-bonadea-biking-meant-everything/

John June 19, 2026 (1:52 am)

She did quite a lot It was truly amazing

Safety Improvements Now June 16, 2026 (9:25 pm)

May Maridee’s memory be a blessing and an example to us all. She sounded like an incredible woman who did so much for our local community and the biking and queer communities to which she was integral. I’m devastated for her family and friends and join their calls (see Beachcomber article) for safety improvements, like removing street parking on Southwest Wildwood and adding a bike lane. This should have never happened and we can and must prevent it from reoccurring.

Jort June 16, 2026 (9:36 pm)

For those who are unaware, Critical Mass will be unapologetically taking over entire streets for their ride. They will not allow cars through. On Wildwood, this will — not could — be very disruptive. Drivers should prepare and plan accordingly. You may have to wait much longer to travel than you are accustomed to. And the mass riders will be particularly sensitive due to the memorial; you will not be able to shout or threaten your way into the group moving. Don’t try to escalate. Consider walking.

Foop June 16, 2026 (11:17 pm)

Better yet, make a sign, step out of your car, support your neighbors.
Mike June 17, 2026 (4:30 am)

Critical Mass is putting lives at risk, please don’t. I’ll be asking authorities to enforce the law.
Alkistu June 17, 2026 (6:42 am)

Jort knows the response will be large from Critical Mass. Typically the road at the location will be closed for a period of time while we ride in a circle at the site of the killing. Please allow us to mourn this tradegy. RIP Maridee.
E June 17, 2026 (7:05 am)

Thanks, Jort. I just want to add please consider joining. Show up anyway you can.
Lucas June 17, 2026 (6:35 pm)

Insane thing to write
Kdake June 18, 2026 (8:20 am)

When is the Critical Mass ride taking place?
- WSB June 18, 2026 (8:26 am)
  
  The date and time are in the story above.

K E M June 16, 2026 (9:38 pm)

Maridee sounds like an incredible, inspiring woman. Love to her family and friends. https://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/2026/06/16/for-maridee-bonadea-biking-meant-everything/

C June 17, 2026 (6:26 am)

As someone who frequently rides a bike, I find it very disappointing that this witness frantically honked their horn. That can disrupt a riders attention and potentially make them wobble. Not saying it was true in this case but please be mindful of horn use around bikes.

ColumbiaChris June 17, 2026 (9:48 am)

Anything to deflect culpability away from the person driving the vehicle that struck her, it seems.
- C June 17, 2026 (6:32 pm)
  
  @columbiachris whatever you say. You’re clearly just wanting to be indignant when I clearly said that isn’t necessarily the case here. Must be hard to be so angry at the world. I’m a cyclist as well, and agree that many drivers/vehicles are responsible for accidents but I also recognize other factors that can come into play.
K June 17, 2026 (12:46 pm)

For what it’s worth, a truck that sizeaccelerating while passing that closely is likely to make enough noise on its own that a horn honked from the other side of the truck a block away is unlikely to have been a distraction. The truck would have drowned it out.
John June 19, 2026 (1:54 am)

I was thinking the exact same thing! Oftentimes when someone honks when I’m driving or even walking I will start to glance around wondering what’s going on

Chamois June 17, 2026 (2:21 pm)

R.I.P. Maridee.
This was a tragedy by all accounts.
However the blame comments and the narrative being established through eyewitnesses are inconsistent, premature and may be inaccurate.
Even the SPD statement was preliminary.

I look forward to further WSB coverage, the Critical Mass ride and bike enhancements that may result from this.
Until the facts are out, please let’s not demonize?
For safe bike passage of this section of Wildwood Place, I have long ridden the more enjoyable detours available.
As a seventy year old cyclist, I wait until the ferry traffic has passed and I recommend the sidewalk along this stretch which would have prevented this tragedy.

Ride safe!

Carolyn Duncan June 17, 2026 (4:20 pm)

This is so sad. The city need a to step up and improve safety there.

Kathy June 18, 2026 (10:47 am)

I am mourning her even though I didn’t know her prior to this tragedy. We are nearly the same age and I regularly get around on a bicycle. I am feeling in fear of riding again as I consider riding from Alki to Ninu Cantu to see the free soccer match. It’s not safe out there. I am asking Vashon Trucking: could you please consider putting side panels (LPDs) on your trucks? This could have saved her life and could save the lives of other cyclists that are passed by trucks (like Lance David on E. Marginal Way). https://www.volpe.dot.gov/LPDs

mark June 18, 2026 (1:44 pm)

Friday June 26 should be a great time for a protest ride with a World Cup Pride game at 8:00. Great planning.

Tae June 24, 2026 (9:40 am)

Actually great timing as Critical Mass is always the last Friday of the month so people can keep their calendar reserved. The memorials for two outstanding people (one being a pride individual herself mind you) by far is more personal to many than World Cup.

Sorry, comment time is over.