Santa Clara County, CA – In the early hours of Sunday, May 18, 2025, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle on southbound State Route 17 near the Bear Creek Road on-ramp, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the accident occurred in Lexington Hills around 12:51 AM, when callers reported a person walking in the traffic lanes of SR-17.
A short time later, the pedestrian was reportedly struck by a maroon Honda CR-V. Emergency responders from Santa Clara County, including medical units, were dispatched and arrived on the scene shortly after 1:00 AM. CHP officers confirmed the presence of the pedestrian just south of the Bear Creek Road on-ramp, in the northbound direction.
The driver of the Honda CR-V remained at the scene and was located safely on the right-hand shoulder. The driver remained at the crash site and cooperated with authorities.
All lanes on SR-17 were reopened to traffic by approximately 2:58 AM, following a full scene investigation and removal of debris.
The identity of the pedestrian has not been released pending notification of next of kin. The CHP has not yet determined whether impairment or other factors contributed to the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Drivers have a Duty of Care towards pedestrians, who are particularly vulnerable in traffic accidents. This responsibility includes being vigilant for bicyclists with whom they share the road and, if a fatal collision occurs, staying with the victim, alerting emergency responders, and cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.
For those who lose a loved one in a bicycle accident, filing a Wrongful Death claim with the assistance of an experienced attorney can provide compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, and other related damages.
Should the at-fault driver avoid legal consequences, compensation might still be available through a family member’s uninsured driver coverage. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help determine the best options in such cases.
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 subject to only partial liability in a pedestrian accident. Should that be the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
