(Fresno, CA) A Highway 168 hit and run resulted in the death of Thawon Pho, 27, while he rode his motorcycle in Fresno.
On Friday, August 22, just before midnight, the Highway 168 hit and run occurred. According to the California Highway Patrol, it happened on the westbound lanes of Highway 168, west of Shields Avenue.
When officers investigated, they learned Thawon Pho of Fresno rode a Kawasaki motorcycle. While riding on the middle lane of Highway 168, a Hyundai Elantra drove behind him. While driving at a high rate of speed, the Hyundai struck Pho’s motorcycle from behind. As a result, the impact caused Pho to be ejected onto the windshield of the Hyundai.
Despite crashing and Pho landing on the windshield, the Hyundai driver kept pushing the empty motorcycle. Eventually, the motorcycle came to a rest in the fast lane, with Pho lying on the highway. Due to the extremely dark conditions and limited lighting, additional vehicles struck Pho. By the time CHP officers arrived, they pronounced Thawon Pho dead. The other drivers that struck Pho cooperated with the investigation. Authorities determined the driver fled the scene, abandoning the Hyundai. Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run is urged to contact the Fresno Area CHP office at 559-262-0400. Tipsters who choose to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Legal Opinion on the Highway 168 Hit and Run
This devastating Highway 168 hit and run crash reflects multiple serious violations under California law. California Vehicle Code 20001 makes it a felony to leave the scene of a crash involving injury or death. The law requires drivers to stop, provide aid, and report the incident. Running away, especially after causing a fatal crash, carries severe prison penalties. Furthermore, speeding and striking a motorcycle from behind likely violated California Vehicle Code 22350. The Basic Speed Law requires drivers to travel only at speeds safe for conditions. Motorcycles are especially vulnerable to rear-end collisions, and the Hyundai driver’s high rate of speed shows clear negligence.
By continuing to drive with a crashed motorcycle lodged in the car, the driver displayed willful disregard for human life. That conduct could support charges of gross vehicular manslaughter under Penal Code 192(c)(1), or even second-degree murder under Penal Code 187 if prosecutors conclude the driver acted with conscious disregard for the danger posed to others.
What the Family Can Do
Thawon Pho’s family has the right to bring a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This claim allows them to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the financial support Pho may have provided. An experienced wrongful death attorney can assist the family by working with CHP to obtain the collision report, traffic camera footage, and forensic evidence from the abandoned Hyundai. The attorney can also monitor the criminal investigation, since a conviction against the fleeing driver will strengthen the civil case.
If authorities cannot identify the driver, the family may still recover compensation through Pho’s own uninsured motorist coverage, which often applies in hit-and-run cases. Taking legal action gives the family a path to accountability and financial relief. While nothing can replace the life lost, pursuing justice ensures that responsibility is recognized and may help prevent another family from facing the same tragedy.
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.
