Published: August 19, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Huntington Beach, CA) – A 74-year-old man who used a motorized wheelchair died after being struck by a car in Huntington Beach on Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
Investigators said the collision happened at about 2 p.m. Tuesday near Skylab Road and Able Lane. The man was moving southbound across Skylab Road in a motorized wheelchair when an eastbound Honda on the same road struck him, police reported.
The man, a resident of Westminster whose identity had not been released, was taken to a nearby hospital and later succumbed to his injuries, according to police. Authorities did not immediately provide his name.
Police said the Honda was driven by a 45-year-old Los Angeles man who stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. According to police, the driver did not appear to be impaired.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the Huntington Beach Pedestrian Collision
The following is a general overview of the legal framework that can apply to a fatal pedestrian collision in California. It is not a statement about fault in this case, which remains under investigation.
In California, every person owes a duty of ordinary care to avoid injuring others. Civil Code section 1714(a) provides that a person is responsible for harm caused by a lack of reasonable care. When a pedestrian or a person using a mobility device is killed by a motor vehicle, investigators typically reconstruct the sequence of events, examine visibility and roadway conditions, and evaluate the speed and attentiveness of each party.
One issue investigators often assess is speed. Under the Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, a driver may not travel faster than is reasonable and prudent given conditions such as visibility, traffic, and the width and surface of the road. If evidence were to show a statutory violation that contributed to a death, Evidence Code section 669 allows a presumption of negligence when the violation proximately causes the kind of harm the statute was designed to prevent and the victim belongs to the protected class. California also applies comparative fault, so under Civil Code section 1431.2 any responsibility is allocated among the parties according to their respective shares.
Where a fatality results, California law provides civil remedies separate from any criminal review. A survival action under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.30 lets a decedent's successor in interest pursue claims the decedent could have brought, while a wrongful death action under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 may be filed by a surviving spouse, children, or other eligible heirs. Recoverable damages are measured under Civil Code section 3333 as the amount needed to compensate for all detriment proximately caused. These claims are generally subject to the two-year deadline set by Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1.
What Families Can Do
Families coping with the loss of a loved one in a collision like this can take a few practical steps while grief is still raw. Requesting the official traffic collision report, preserving any available video or physical evidence, and keeping records of medical and funeral expenses can all matter later. Because a driver in an injury or fatal crash must file a written report with police within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and report the crash to the DMV within 10 days under Vehicle Code section 16000, those official records are often available early. Given that California's two-year filing deadline can pass quickly, families who have questions about their rights may wish to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Huntington Beach Car Accident Lawyer at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. RSS_MYNEWSLA – Wheelchair-Bound Man Struck, Killed by Car in Huntington Beach: https://mynewsla.com/crime/2026/08/18/wheelchair-bound-man-struck-killed-by-car-in-huntington-beach/
