(Long Beach, CA) a semi-truck caused an Oregon Avenue hit and run collision that killed a pedestrian in the Wrigley neighborhood of Long Beach.
On Wednesday, August 20, at 8:10 p.m., the Oregon Avenue hit and run occurred. According to the Long Beach Police Department, it happened in the area of Oregon Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway.
When officers responded to the collision site, they found a person lying on the southwest sidewalk of the intersection. The moment Long Beach Fire Department personnel arrived, they transported the victim to a hospital. Prior to being transported, paramedics found him in critical condition. Despite making it to the hospital, hospital staff pronounced the victim dead.
A preliminary investigation of the Oregon Avenue hit and run revealed a semi-truck drove eastbound on Pacific Coast Highway. While turning onto southbound Oregon Avenue, the rear tires rolled onto the sidewalk. Meanwhile, the pedestrian slept on the sidewalk when the tires rolled onto it, striking him. The driver of the semi did not remain at the scene, driving off on Oregon Avenue. Police confirmed that neither speed, distracted driving, nor impaired driving contributed to the Oregon Avenue hit and run.
Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is asked to call LBPD Det. Joseph Johnson of the department’s Collision Investigation Detail at 562-570-7355. Tipsters who choose to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Legal Opinion on the Oregon Avenue Hit and Run
The Oregon Avenue hit and run presents a heartbreaking and complex legal situation. The driver of the semi did not stop or report the collision, which is a clear violation of California Vehicle Code 20001. This law requires any driver involved in a crash that results in injury or death to stop immediately. Failing to do so, even without knowing the impact occurred, can still result in felony hit-and-run charges.
Even though the victim was lying on the sidewalk, drivers of large commercial vehicles have a heightened duty to be aware of their surroundings. This is especially true when making wide turns in urban areas, which was the case in the Oregon Avenue hit and run. Drivers must anticipate how their vehicle’s path affects curbs, sidewalks, and nearby objects or people. If the truck’s rear wheels mounted the sidewalk, that suggests a possible violation of VEH 21658. This law covers unsafe lane positioning, and even basic principles of negligence under California civil law.
Police have ruled out speed, distraction, and intoxication. Even without those factors, the failure to maintain safe control during a turn and the failure to stop after the collision are serious legal issues.
What the Family Can Do
The victim’s family has the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This allows close relatives to seek compensation for funeral expenses and emotional loss. An experienced wrongful death attorney can help by immediately working with Long Beach police. They can obtain video footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras that captured the Oregon Avenue hit and run.
Given that this incident involved a commercial vehicle, the trucking company may also be liable. The attorney can request maintenance records, dash cam footage, GPS logs, and the driver’s work history to see if negligence or poor training played a role. If the semi-truck driver remains unidentified, the family may still have options. An attorney can investigate whether the victim had coverage under any auto or homeowner’s policy with “uninsured motorist” benefits, which sometimes apply in fatal pedestrian hit-and-run cases.
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim. We know this is a difficult time as you mourn the tragic and sudden loss of a loved one. If you have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this horrible incident, call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
