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Rattlesnake Season Starts Early, Claims Biker's Life
13 Mar
Summary
- A mountain biker died after a rattlesnake bite on Feb. 1.
- Unseasonably warm temperatures caused rattlesnake season to start early.
- The victim's family is seeking answers through a third-party autopsy.

Rattlesnake season has begun earlier than usual this year, largely due to unseasonably warm weather.
This trend has unfortunately resulted in a fatality. On February 1st, Julian Hernandez, a resident of Costa Mesa, was mountain biking at Quail Hill Trailhead when he was bitten by a rattlesnake.
He attempted to ride to safety but was overcome by the venom. Despite being rushed to the hospital and placed in intensive care, Hernandez passed away on March 4th.
The county coroner's office confirmed the cause of death as an animal bite. However, the victim's family has commissioned a third-party autopsy, expressing a desire to uncover the truth and pursue legal action.
Typically, rattlesnake exposure calls peak between April and October. However, warmer conditions are prompting snakes to become active earlier, posing increased risks to outdoor enthusiasts.




