(Bakersfield, CA) Authorities have identified the man killed in a Union Avenue accident earlier this month as 48-year-old Alvino Ray Arambulo.
On Monday, September 15, at about 10:20 p.m., Bakersfield police officers responded to Union Avenue just north of Bernard Street after reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Investigators said Arambulo was walking outside of a crosswalk when a car hit him.
As Arambulo lay in the roadway, a second vehicle struck him again. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police confirmed that the first driver remained at the location, cooperated fully, and showed no signs of impairment. Investigators also noted that speed did not appear to play a role. The second driver, however, fled the area. Authorities believe that vehicle may be a silver or light-colored Honda Civic coupe with damage to the front bumper. The Union Avenue accident remains under investigation.
Legal Analysis on the Union Avenue Accident
This tragic case raises major legal concerns under California law, especially because one driver stayed while another fled. First, Vehicle Code 20001 requires all drivers in crashes causing injury or death to stop, provide information, and offer aid. The second driver violated this law by fleeing, escalating it to a felony hit-and-run.
The first driver who stayed complied with their legal duty. However, liability can still be reviewed under other laws. Vehicle Code 21954 explains that pedestrians outside of crosswalks must yield to vehicles. At the same time, drivers are legally required to exercise due care to avoid collisions, even when the pedestrian is not crossing lawfully. This is all in accordance with California pedestrian law.
Speed and roadway conditions will also be reviewed. Vehicle Code 22350 requires drivers to travel at speeds safe for current conditions, regardless of posted limits. Investigators will look closely at visibility and lighting along Union Avenue to determine whether more caution was required.
What Alvino Ray Arambulo’s Family Can Do
For the family of Alvino Ray Arambulo, this accident is a devastating loss. They may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim to help cover funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.
Even though Arambulo was not in a crosswalk, California’s comparative fault laws may still allow recovery against one or both drivers. The family may also seek compensation through uninsured motorist benefits if the second driver is never identified.
It is critical that the family act quickly. Preserving police reports, scene evidence, and any possible surveillance footage will strengthen their case. An experienced attorney can guide them through these steps, ensuring accountability is pursued after the Union Avenue accident that claimed the life of Alvino Ray Arambulo.
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.
