Fresno, California – A fatal collision in Fresno County claimed the life of a woman late Monday evening.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. near the intersection of Shields and De Wolf avenues, just outside the city limits of Fresno.
Officers arrived at the scene to find a woman lying in the roadway. Despite emergency life-saving measures, she was pronounced deceased.
Authorities say the victim stepped into the road and was struck by a Toyota Tundra driven by a 20-year-old man from Clovis.
CHP says the driver was unable to stop in time to prevent the impact. He remained at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Preliminary findings suggest the woman may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident.
Source: ABC
Determining Fault in a Fatal Pedestrian Accident Involving an Intoxicated Pedestrian
When a pedestrian is killed in an accident and is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, determining who is legally at fault becomes more complex. While intoxication can contribute to the incident, it does not automatically mean the pedestrian is 100% to blame.
California follows a comparative negligence system, which means fault can be shared between parties. If a driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent, they can still be held partially or fully liable—even if the pedestrian was impaired. Factors such as visibility, road conditions, and whether the pedestrian was crossing lawfully also play a crucial role in assigning responsibility.
Families of victims may still have the right to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. Skilled wrongful death attorneys and pedestrian accident attorneys can investigate the full circumstances of the crash, work with accident reconstruction experts, and ensure that negligent drivers are held accountable.
If the accident happened in the Central Valley, a Fresno car accident attorney can provide local experience and representation.If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident—regardless of the circumstances—contact Megeredchian Law at (866) 359-0807 for a free, confidential consultation. We’re available 24/7 and will fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.