A 32-year-old male pedestrian was killed after being struck by a vehicle in Santa Ana on Friday evening, August 16, 2024.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 8:19 p.m. near the intersection of Fairview and Harvard Streets, according to the Santa Ana Police Department.
Officers and Orange County Fire Authority paramedics arrived at the scene and found a man on the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the man was struck while crossing Fairview in a crosswalk while traffic was flowing.
Witnesses reported that the woman driving the vehicle initially left the scene but returned minutes later and cooperated with the investigation. Police stated that neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to be a factor in the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, and the incident is being treated as a possible hit-and-run.
No further details were immediately available.
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A hit-and-run accident can leave you and your family facing financial, emotional, and physical burdens. Our Santa Ana hit-and-run accident lawyers understand what you are facing. We are here to help alleviate some of the stress this collision has caused.
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Steps To Take After A Hit-And-Run Accident In Fresno, CA
There are specific measures you can take to safeguard your rights to obtain compensation following a hit-and-run accident. Not only can they help authorities apprehend the driver, but they can also support your claim for proper compensation. These actions include:
- Stay At The Scene — Even if the negligent party leaves, you should remain at the scene. Contact law enforcement immediately to report the accident.
- Document The Scene — While awaiting the police, take pictures and videos of the scene. If you are unable to do so, ask your passenger or a bystander to document the scene for you.
- Seek Medical Evaluation — It’s important to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Often, medical professionals will arrive at the scene to assess you. They may advise visiting a nearby hospital for further diagnostic testing and treatment.
- Inform Your Insurance Company — Once you are home and safe, inform your insurance company about the collision. Do not guess or answer questions you are unsure of, as this can be detrimental to your case in the long term. Stick to the facts.
- Consult An Attorney — Many professionals advise scheduling a consultation with a California hit-and-run accident attorney before talking to the insurance company. Firms like Arash Law can handle reporting the crash to relevant insurers and manage all communication moving forward.
Hit-And-Run Accident Statistics
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 737,100 documented cases of hit-and-run accidents in the US in 2015, equating to approximately one incident occurring every 43 seconds.
Between 2012 and 2021, the number of hit-and-runs increased significantly. In 2021, there were 2,783 fatal crashes involving hit-and-runs, an 89.4% increase from 2012’s 1,469 incidents. Over the past decade, fatal accidents have increased by 27.4%, highlighting the need to improve road safety.
Hit-and-runs accounted for 7.0% of fatal crashes, a 48.7% rise from 2012’s 4.7% in 2021. California had the highest share of hit-and-run-related fatal crashes at 10.1% over the decade, followed by Nevada (8.5%) and New Mexico (7.8%). Furthermore, over 6 in 10 fatal hit-and-runs involved pedestrians, underlining the pressing need to ensure pedestrian safety and curb the alarming rise in fatal hit-and-run incidents.