Published: September 20, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Pasadena, CA) – A pedestrian sustained major injuries early Saturday after being dragged by a vehicle in Pasadena and later became the first patient to receive a field blood transfusion under a new Pasadena Fire Department program, according to a city spokesperson.
Pasadena Fire crews, working alongside the city's police department, were dispatched to a reported crash involving a pedestrian at Glen Oaks Boulevard and Mooresque Drive at 12:37 a.m. Saturday. Firefighter-paramedics who arrived on scene evaluated the injured person and sought approval to carry out a blood transfusion in the field, the spokesperson said.
Authorization was granted for whole blood, and a battalion chief brought the supply to the scene under department protocol. The transfusion was given at 12:53 a.m., roughly 16 minutes after the initial call, according to the city. The patient was taken to a nearby hospital and had emergency surgery, and was listed in critical condition Saturday morning, the spokesperson said.
The transfusion was the first performed under a program that began operating last month, in which Pasadena firefighter-paramedics carry low-titer O-positive whole blood in two battalion chief vehicles so transfusions can start in the field. The department is part of LA-DROP, a prehospital transfusion effort the Los Angeles County Fire Department launched on April 1, 2025, with Huntington Health and a regional blood bank.
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 Pasadena Pedestrian Collision
The following is a general discussion of how California law may apply to a pedestrian collision of this kind. It is not a statement about fault in this incident, which remains under review by the responding agencies.
In crashes involving a pedestrian, investigators typically try to establish where the person was in relation to the roadway and how the vehicle was being operated. California Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks while also placing a duty of care on pedestrians, and section 21954 addresses a pedestrian's duty to yield when crossing outside a crosswalk. Which of these framework rules is relevant depends on facts that the police may still be gathering. The Basic Speed Law under Vehicle Code section 22350, which requires a speed that is reasonable for conditions, can also become part of such an inquiry if evidence points to vehicle speed as an issue.
Under Civil Code section 1714(a), a person may be liable for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care. Where a traffic statute is shown to have been violated and that violation is a proximate cause of the type of injury the law was meant to prevent, Evidence Code section 669 can create a presumption of negligence. California also apportions responsibility among the parties: Civil Code section 1431.2 allocates non-economic damages according to each party's share of fault, so more than one person's conduct may be examined before any conclusion is reached.
If an injured pedestrian ultimately has a claim, Civil Code section 3333 measures damages by the full detriment proximately caused, which can include medical care, lost income, and other losses. These principles describe only the general legal landscape and do not suggest any determination has been made here.
What Survivors and Families Can Do
Anyone seriously hurt in a pedestrian crash, or a family caring for an injured loved one, can take several practical steps: obtain a copy of the police collision report, preserve evidence such as photographs and the names of any witnesses, and keep complete records of medical treatment and expenses. A driver involved in an injury crash generally must report it to the DMV within 10 days under Vehicle Code section 16000 and file a written report with police within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008. Because a personal injury claim in California is generally subject to a two-year deadline under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and shorter deadlines can apply where a public entity may be involved, it is wise not to delay in getting guidance.
Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Pasadena 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. Pasadena Now – Pedestrian Dragged by Vehicle Becomes Pasadena’s First Field Blood Transfusion Patient Under Month-Old Program
