Costa Mesa woman dies after bike accident

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- Margaret Dailey never owned or drove a car in the 36

years she lived in the city.

She always rode her bicycle -- to work, to the schools where she

volunteered her time and to the store.

In fact, Dailey was heading home on Paularino Avenue after getting

groceries Saturday evening when she was hit by a truck. She was taken to

Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, where she died Tuesday of serious

injuries.

Daughter Rebecca Dailey said she would remember her mother as a

“loving and caring person.”

“She was a great conversationalist and loved people,” she said. “But

she liked to keep her own life private.”

Riding the bike was her mother’s way of asserting and celebrating her

independence, Rebecca Dailey said.

“Even when we were kids, she either rode the bicycle or took us in a

bus or wagon,” she said.

In July, Dailey spearheaded a reunion for her immediate and extended

family at the Holiday Inn in Costa Mesa. More than 70 members of the

Smith family came to the reunion, which Dailey affectionately called:

“2001: A Smith Oddity.” Smith was Dailey’s maiden name.

During the reunion, which the Daily Pilot covered, Dailey said family

members were there because they “love each other.”

“It’s emotional,” she said at the time. “When we’re together, we laugh

and cry.”

The event was attended by her sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews,

grandchildren and even girlfriends and fiances.

The reunion was a positive experience for her mother, Rebecca Dailey

said.

“She could see them all,” she said.

Police said the driver of the truck, Israel Romero, 21, of Brea,

possibly reached over to answer his cellular phone and veered toward

Dailey. The front of the truck hit her bicycle.

Traffic investigators are still interviewing several witnesses, Lt.

Dale Birney said.

“In the past, if we found out if it was the driver’s fault, we’ve

filed cases with the district attorney’s office,” he said.

Alcohol was not a factor in the incident, Birney said.

The charge is usually vehicular manslaughter. But the district

attorney decides if the manslaughter would qualify as a felony or a

misdemeanor, which is a lesser charge.

Dailey is survived by five daughters, a son, 12 grandchildren and a

great-grandchild. She was married to Rodney Dailey for 44 years. He died

nine years ago. A private memorial service will be held.