Published: September 18, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Hayward, CA) – A pedestrian died after being struck by a driver on Thursday morning in Hayward, according to the Hayward Police Department.
The collision took place shortly before 11 a.m. in the area of Kelly Street and Bayview Avenue, police said. Emergency responders transported the pedestrian to a nearby hospital, where the person was later pronounced dead, according to police.
The driver remained at the location and gave a statement to investigators, police said. Authorities indicated that they do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor, though the matter remains under investigation.
The Alameda County Coroner's Office said it will release the victim's identity once it is confirmed and relatives have been notified. Police noted that this was the fifth traffic death recorded in the city this year. Anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact the department at 510-293-7066.
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 Hayward Pedestrian Collision
When a pedestrian is struck and killed, investigators generally work to establish where the person was in relation to the roadway and whether either party had the right-of-way. Under California Vehicle Code section 21950, a driver must yield to a pedestrian crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, while pedestrians carry their own duty of due care. If a person crosses outside of a crosswalk, Vehicle Code section 21954 requires yielding to vehicles that are close enough to pose an immediate hazard, while still preserving the driver's separate obligation to exercise care. Which of these frameworks applies here would depend on facts not yet publicly reported.
Speed is another factor often reviewed in cases like this. The Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, provides that no one may drive faster than is reasonable and prudent given conditions such as visibility and traffic. Should evidence later show a statutory violation, Evidence Code section 669 allows a presumption of negligence when the violation proximately causes the type of harm the law was meant to prevent and the injured person is within the protected class. Any such determination rests entirely on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
Civil liability in California is measured against the ordinary-care standard set out in Civil Code section 1714, and where more than one party may share responsibility, Civil Code section 1431.2 governs how non-economic damages are apportioned by percentage of fault. These principles describe a general legal framework and are not a statement about who, if anyone, bears responsibility for this collision.
What Families Can Do
Families coping with the loss of a loved one in a traffic collision can take several steps to protect their interests while the investigation continues. Obtaining a copy of the police report, preserving any available evidence, and keeping records of medical and funeral expenses can all be important later. California generally allows two years to file a personal injury claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and a wrongful death action may be brought by certain surviving relatives under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60. Because deadlines and eligibility rules can be complex, speaking with an attorney early can help a family understand its options.
Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A California pedestrian accident attorney 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. East Bay Times – 73-year-old pedestrian hit and killed by driver in Hayward
