(Sylmar, CA) A pedestrian died in a 210 Freeway accident after walking in westbound lanes of the Foothill Freeway in Sylmar.
On Sunday, September 7, at 7:20 p.m., the 210 Freeway accident occurred. According to the California Highway Patrol, it happened on the westbound Foothill Freeway west of Yarnell Street.
Upon investigating, officers learned the male pedestrian entered active traffic lanes on the freeway. Witnesses described him walking directly in the westbound lanes. Several vehicles attempted to avoid him, but at least one struck him. The impact left him fatally injured. When authorities arrived, they found the pedestrian unresponsive in the roadway. Officers pronounced him dead at the scene. CHP issued a SigAlert and shut down three lanes of the freeway to investigate the deadly 210 Freeway accident.
Legal Opinion on the 210 Freeway Accident
The 210 Freeway accident in Sylmar involves the unique legal issue of a pedestrian entering freeway lanes. California law generally prohibits pedestrians from walking along freeways except in emergencies. California Vehicle Code 21956 states that pedestrians must use the left edge of the roadway if no sidewalk exists. On a freeway, pedestrians should not be present at all unless they face an emergency, such as a breakdown. Walking directly in traffic lanes creates extreme risk, and unfortunately, it appears this contributed to the tragic outcome.
For drivers, California Vehicle Code 22350, the Basic Speed Law, still applies. This law requires drivers to operate at a speed safe for conditions. Investigators will examine whether drivers acted reasonably under the circumstances, or if speeding prevented them from avoiding the pedestrian. Since the pedestrian died, his family may still bring a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. However, the success of such a claim depends on proving that a driver acted negligently. If the pedestrian unlawfully walked into traffic, liability could be limited, though partial responsibility might still fall on a speeding or distracted driver.
What the Family Can Do
The family of the deceased pedestrian can request the official CHP collision report. This report will help determine if any driver involved traveled too fast, failed to pay attention, or otherwise acted negligently. Even though pedestrians generally cannot lawfully walk on freeways, families still have the right to investigate whether drivers could have taken reasonable steps to avoid the crash. A wrongful death attorney can evaluate the circumstances and guide the family through their legal options.
This tragic 210 Freeway accident shows how quickly danger escalates when pedestrians and freeway traffic intersect. While liability may be complex, the family can still pursue answers, accountability, and potential compensation during this very difficult time.
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.
