Cyclist dead after being hit by car
September 2, 2023
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Police Department reports that a cyclist was killed yesterday after being hit by a vehicle.
Officers responded to the area of NW 23rd Avenue and NW 6th Street after receiving multiple calls regarding a cyclist who was struck by a vehicle and then trapped under the vehicle. The bicyclist was trauma-alerted to Shands and later succumbed to her injuries. The traffic homicide investigation is ongoing.
TV20 reported that witnesses said the victim was Loren Cava, who has been the subject of multiple investigations into the treatment of her dogs. Cava was found mentally incompetent to stand trial on animal cruelty charges on August 31, the day before she was hit by the car.
I wonder if this is the lady that always rode around that area with her dogs leashed.
This is devastating to hear yet another bicyclist killed by a motorist. We saw her everyday on her bicycle. Carrying laundry, and groceries.
So very sad… while she had her issues, being killed while just being a pedestrian is devastating and alarming. The city MUST step up and handle these death trap situations!!
Melanie and Grace, whether you like it or not, most of the pedestrian and bicycle accidents are NOT the fault of the driver. Don’t be so quick to make judgement.
How is it the city’s fault when idiot bike riders don’t obey the law?
because the police are not giving them tickets for breaking the laws
And with the animals she abused!!!
The article said she was mentally incompetent to stand trial. Try to have a little compassion for those that truly need help, not hatred. Every time I saw her with her dogs she was giving them water and caring for them. Try showing some love, your life will be much better.
No, she never should have had those poor animals. You obviously know nothing about the situation.
It is, or was.
yes it is
A tragic history .Ms Caver was mentally challenge and she abused her dogs. Little was done to address either situation. Neighbors and caring people continued to ask for help. She was recently arrested and put into jail. Not a very compassionate , understanding way of addressing our elderly and our animals.
I rarely see compassion in this world anymore. It is a very sad world we live in.
It’s
It’s sad that someone lost their life, but has anyone stopped to think that karma could have caught up with her? She abused animals for years on years, and the city of Gainesville took years to start doing anything!
She needed help. Look at the city of Gainesville and the lack of help they gave her. Look at the city of Gainesville period. What a shame it is. If someone really wanted to they could have gotten her the help she so desperately needed.
It wasn’t the city that refused action, it was the county commissioners and 2022 animal services Ed williams director.
Alachua County vs The City of Gainesville 🤷🏼♀️both have no common sense between all in charge. The County and City need elect ALL NEW MEMBERS in the next election! Every member on each board should not run for reelection!
This lady abused animals back in the early 90’s and she was still abusing animals! I pray for the animals that were left behind find a loving family and enjoy the rest of their lives 🙏🏼
I’m surprised she didn’t get run over years ago. She insisted on riding in the roadway (with no bike lane) when she could have used the sidewalk. I used to see her shopping at the Publix at 39th and 13th. You have to watch out for crazy people “rescuing” animals.
There are tons of crazy people in the world. Animals are probably the best medicine for these people you call crazy. There are also lots of stupid people in this world. You have to watch out for them too. There are also lots of depressed people in this world. Lots of different kinds of people. God created them all. He also created us to be good and kind to everyone. When you do that your life is much better than if you weren’t good and kind to everyone. Even the bad guys!! Look in the mirror today. Nobody is perfect, not even you!
If you are rehoming an animal, trust your instincts – assuming you are a rational/sane person. That crazy maniac lady used to march those bony, geriatric dogs around in the heat all day long.
I am very sorry to hear of Loren Cava‘s passing. her being killed on a bicycle has nothing to do with her abusing animals. We all knew she was 20 mentally challenged and those animals might’ve been good therapy for her. She was certainly not good therapy for them.!! She didn’t have them because she loved them. She had them because she said everybody has to have some thing and that is a quote from Loren Cava.
6th street has many signs saying share the road and that Bicyclists have the right to the outer lanes there.
why is there no mention of the driver were they on cell phone,on drugs did they have a license.No mention any where of there past??????
That’s probably because they’re not at fault.
Due to the ongoing traffic homicide investigation the above information you are inquiring about is none of your business.
WELCOME TO GAINESVILLE PD
The Gainesville Police Department is committed to providing quality service around the clock. Citizens can use the online services portal to search for public safety incidents and arrests, submit incident reports, and access other useful information. These new features are intended to provide convenience and greater ease of use. Please feel free to contact us if you have feedback or questions regarding our new online services.
Effective March 1, 2023, Florida Statutes 316.066 was modified to indicate that motor vehicle crash reports containing the identity, home or employment telephone number or home or employment street address, driver license or identification card number, date of birth or other personal information for the parties involved in the crash were confidential and exempt to the public within the first 60 days it was filed. However, the involved parties and their representatives are permitted to have an unredacted copy of the crash report during this 60 days period and according to Florida Senate Bill 1614 the requestor must present a valid driver license or other photographic identification, proof of status, or identification that demonstrates his or her qualifications to access that information and file a written sworn statement (click here) prior to accessing the report. Due to this recent change, access to crash reports on GPD’s website has been disabled. Requestors will have to contact Records via telephone 352-393-7565, email: dg_gpd_records@cityofgainesville.org or fax 352-334-2464 to obtain a copy of their crash report.
Ever since GPD relinquished their Animal control unit, the quality of or lack thereof service went down the toilet.
The city had 7 day a week, 12 or more hours a day service.
I remember Ms. Cava when her parents ‘dumped’ her in Gainesville back in the mid 80’s.
Yes, she had her issues but dying pinned under a hot car no one deserves that.
Well said!
I’m a driver AND a cyclist. You must be a defensive rider or driver, especially at intersections. Period. “I didn’t see …” is no excuse.
They took away the emotional support animals from a women with a mental disability. And then she died a horrible death after being left sad, alone, and ostracized by her community. To say otherwise is disingenuous & downright defamatory. Cancel culture at its worst!
Seriously ? You think because she was mentally challenged that she deserved to have dogs that she abused and neglected for years ? Because she was unable to properly care for any living thing Is the reason she should have never owned anything with a pulse! Shame on her ignorant family for helping her to get a dog or keep one! After she was arrested they adopted a dog for her and the poor dog lived at a kennel and she visited the dog. Great life for that poor dog . Her family knew she was incapable of caring for an animal . I blame all the people that helped her keep or get a dog ! Not all mentally challenged people abuse animals but Loren did everyday !
They took away the emotional support animals from a woman with a mental disability. Then she died a horrible death after being left sad, alone, and ostracized by her community. To say otherwise is disingenuous and downright defamatory. Cancel culture at its worst!
She was abusing her animals!
Are you serious little miss morality? You think because she was mentally challenged meant that she was given free rein to abuse and neglect dogs. This is a woman who is cited twice for animal cruelty, and arrested for the same and you think her pets should’ve stayed in her care.? shame on you. I hope you have no animals.
It is sad that something was not done about her dogs over the years. My friend who lived near her reported her and nothing was done. My friend even bought dog food for the dogs but was told she felt feeding table scraps were better for them. I, myself, tried to tell her that it was too hot for the dogs to be out when it was 90 degrees. She put booties on them and still took them out. I believed she loved her dogs but was herself incapable of providing adequate care for them due to her inability to understand what was appropriate or not. Sadly she and her dogs were both underserved by their community.
too bad fhp wasn’t responsible on this 1, they would have cited Marsy’s law saying they couldn’t release any info on victims.
Another possibility is that she took her own life. She was ruled mentally incompetent the day before this crash. That could gave put her in a darker place. The article only said the vehicle struck her. But all it takes is that slight swerve or lean into. I’m just throwing that out there because if her past mental health issues. No matter what the fact is that this she died and probably in a very painful way.
Atleast she can’t abuse anymore dogs now