Ilya Killed In Beverly Hills On Commute Home

Ilya "Mother Russia" from Supergo/Performance of Santa Monica was hit and subsequently killed by a man this week near the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd. Ilya was a sales/runner for the store in Santa Monica, and commuted every day to work on one of his bikes. Over 6' tall, Ilya resembled a leaner "Ivan Drago' and would probably stomp most of us on the road bike. Always the nice guy, it's hard to believe that he is gone. After nearly losing Desi a few years ago to a drunk driver, and myself being hit by a motorcycle and four cars, it is frightening how powerless it can make you feel. It happens in an instant, and for no better reason than someone just dropped a toothpick and bent down to pick it up.
Ilya's memorial ride will be held at 8pm tomorrow night, meeting at Performance on 5th and Broadway in Santa Monica. Police assistance will take the riders from the store to the large Fountain on the north side of Wilshire/Santa Monica/Sunset, across from Starbucks. Candlelight Vigil at 9pm at the fountain, then the ride will continue to Ilya's home, completing the commute he never was allowed to finish Monday night. The riders then return to the fountain for another midnight meeting, then ride back to the shop. If you can, please attend. Media will be there, and it will hopefully help raise awareness for ALL of us. Thanks, and Ilya, if I make it up there, I'll see ya where it's cloudy!

Chris