San Luis Obispo, CA — A 26-year-old male pedestrian lost his life Sunday night, September 1, 2024, after being struck by multiple vehicles on Highway 101 near the Madonna Road overpass, according to The San Luis Obispo Tribune.
At approximately 8:33 PM, the man reportedly walked into the number two northbound lane of Highway 101. According to preliminary investigations by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the man was struck by an unidentified vehicle, believed to be a tan Toyota Camry.
The driver of this vehicle fled the scene immediately after the collision, leaving the man vulnerable to additional vehicles, which also struck him.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, but despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of his family.
The CHP is treating the incident as a hit-and-run, intensifying their efforts to locate the driver of the first vehicle. The highway was temporarily closed as law enforcement agencies and emergency crews worked to secure the scene and gather evidence.
The CHP is urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has any information about the suspect vehicle to come forward. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities hoping to bring some closure to the man’s family and hold those responsible accountable.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as if they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is held only partially liable in a pedestrian accident. If that is the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
California Hit-and-Run Laws
California Law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop their vehicle, notify law enforcement, and exchange insurance information with others involved. Failure to do so, considered to be a “hit-and-run,” is a misdemeanor in cases of property damage and a felony when someone has been injured.
