Published: September 25, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Santa Monica, CA) – A pedestrian remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle inside a marked crosswalk in downtown Santa Monica on Thursday evening, according to police.
The Santa Monica Police Department said the collision happened at about 5:47 p.m. at the intersection of 5th Street and Wilshire Boulevard. A preliminary investigation indicated the pedestrian was crossing southbound in the marked crosswalk on the intersection's east side when a vehicle turning left from southbound 5th Street onto eastbound Wilshire Boulevard made contact with the person, police said.
Santa Monica Fire Department crews responded and took the pedestrian to a nearby hospital, where the person was still listed in critical condition on Friday morning, according to SMPD. The department said the driver stayed at the scene and was cooperating with the investigation. Police also stated that impairment was not believed to be involved in the crash.
Investigators said the matter remains open and that further confirmed details would be shared as they become available.
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 Santa Monica Crosswalk Collision
When a pedestrian is hurt in a marked crosswalk, investigators typically review how the crossing unfolded and what each party could observe in the moments before impact. Under California Vehicle Code section 21950, a driver must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk, while the same statute obligates pedestrians to exercise due care for their own safety. How that shared framework applies here would depend on evidence the investigation is still developing.
Because the reported movement involved a left turn across a crosswalk, investigators may also examine Vehicle Code section 21801, which requires a driver turning left to yield to hazards and to continue yielding until the turn can be completed with reasonable safety. Whether that duty was met is a fact-specific question that turns on speed, sightlines, signal timing and the positions of the vehicle and the pedestrian.
In any civil claim that might follow, California applies the general negligence standard of Civil Code section 1714(a), under which a person is responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care. If evidence were to show a violation of a safety statute such as section 21950 or 21801, Evidence Code section 669 can raise a presumption of negligence when the violation proximately causes the type of injury the law was designed to prevent and the injured person is within the protected class. Any recovery would be measured under Civil Code section 3333, and responsibility could be allocated among the parties under the comparative-fault principle of Civil Code section 1431.2. These statutes describe only a general framework; they are not a conclusion about what happened.
What Injured Pedestrians and Their Families Can Do
After a serious pedestrian collision, it helps to obtain the official police report, preserve any physical evidence and photographs, identify witnesses, and keep complete records of medical treatment while following up on care, since some injuries evolve over time. Drivers in an injury crash also have reporting obligations, including a written report to police within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and a DMV report under Vehicle Code section 16000. California's two-year deadline for personal-injury claims under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 makes prompt action important.
Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Santa Monica 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. Patch – 82-Year-Old Pedestrian Critically Injured In Santa Monica Collision
