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Motorcyclist killed in Palmdale crash was Gabriel’s House Arts Director

by K. Enrique • April 9, 2014

The crash that claimed Jimmy Lu’s life happened around 7:49 p.m., Monday, April 7 on 10th Street West, between Avenue O and Avenue O-4.
The crash that claimed Jimmy Lu’s life happened around 7:49 p.m., Monday, April 7 on 10th Street West, between Avenue O and Avenue O-4.

PALMDALE – The 45-year-old motorcyclist who died Monday night after he was thrown off his bike and then struck by an SUV on 10th Street West and Avenue O has been identified as Chungmin Jimmy Lu.

Lu was founder and director of The Art Branch Foundation, the nonprofit organization over Gabriel’s House – the Palmdale Neighborhood House in memory of eight-year-old child abuse victim Gabriel Fernandez.

Jimmy Lu (left) with Palmdale Councilman Tom Lackey and Mayor Jim Ledford at a Volunteer Cleanup Day for Gabriel’s House in Sept. 2013.
Jimmy Lu (left) with Palmdale Councilman Tom Lackey and Mayor Jim Ledford at a Volunteer Cleanup Day for Gabriel’s House in Sept. 2013.

Located at 38533 4th Street East in Palmdale, Gabriel’s House opened in February as a music and performing arts center to provide children in the area with the opportunity to develop their creative talents, free of charge.

Lu and his wife, Kim, were instrumental in bringing the project to fruition, and Lu also taught drama classes at Gabriel’s House.

Wednesday morning, Kim said she was still numb over the loss of Lu. However, she wanted the community to know that she was committed to keeping her husband’s vision alive, both at The Art Branch and at Gabriel’s House.

Jimmy Lu (3rd from right) at the Feb. 2014 ribbon cutting for Gabriel’s House.
Jimmy Lu (3rd from right) at the Feb. 2014 ribbon cutting for Gabriel’s House.

“We would like to thank everyone that got the project going like the Mayor, and Trish Jones and Mike Miller… He would want to keep the project alive, and I’m going to keep the project going,” Kim said.

Kim said she’s planning a public memorial for her husband and would have more details in the future.

Around 7:49 p.m. Monday (April 7), Lu was riding a 1982 Harley Davidson southbound on 10th Street West, when he apparently made a U-turn in front of a 2004 Chrysler Sebring, sheriff’s officials said.

The Chrysler Sebring crashed into Lu’s motorcycle, throwing him into the northbound lanes of 10th Street West, where he was hit by a 2006 Chevy Suburban, sheriff’s officials said.

Lu was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Previous related stories:

Motorcyclist killed in Palmdale collision

Making a difference at Gabriel’s House

Gabriel’s House ribbon cutting this Saturday

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Filed Under: Palmdale

6 comments for "Motorcyclist killed in Palmdale crash was Gabriel’s House Arts Director"

  1. kara mccracken says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    my mom dad two brothers and me were the last people to see him and my dad and him were on a motercycle ride and thats when he got hit :(

  2. pinkfinds says

    May 7, 2014 at 1:12 am

    This is bull [removed] report, Jimmy Lu would never make a u turn the truth will come out !

  3. Andy Vrilakas says

    April 10, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    Very sad , Skateboarding and hanging out with Jimmy in Sacramento was always a good time . Going to miss you brother .

  4. Brian Harper says

    April 10, 2014 at 10:59 am

    The loss of Jimmy Lu not only affects his family and friends it affects a community. Jimmy Lu and his wife Kim are the real deal serving up dreams and hope to children. The Art Branch is a vision that the Lu family have strived for to bring free arts to any child that wishes it. And with the help of our community we need to keep Jimmy’s dream alive.
    God speed Jimmy Lu and god bless your family

  5. Gundula Davis says

    April 9, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    May he rest in peace, prayers out to wife and family. My husband and I ride all the time, it really saddened us when we hear something like this. God Bless You and your family.

  6. Elida Ramirez says

    April 9, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    It is so sad!! I can’t believe it! I met Jimmy Lu at the Gabriel’s house ribbon ceremony and he was the nicest person I met. him and his wife are great!! He had such a great heart. May he rest in peace. The Lord Bless his wife and family through these moments.

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