Published: September 7, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Long Beach, CA) – A pedestrian died Saturday night after being struck by a vehicle that fled and then being hit by a Metro light-rail train in the Wrigley District of Long Beach, authorities said.
Officers were sent shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday to the vicinity of Long Beach Boulevard and East 23rd Street, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Responding officers found an adult pedestrian lying on the light-rail tracks along Long Beach Boulevard.
Paramedics declared the person, who has not been publicly identified, dead at the scene, police reported. Investigators said an initial review indicated a vehicle was heading south on Long Beach Boulevard when it hit the pedestrian in the roadway. The department said the pedestrian was then struck by the passing Metro light-rail train, and that the vehicle involved left the scene.
The Long Beach Police Department asked anyone with information to contact the agency at 562-570-7110, and said tipsters wishing to stay anonymous could reach Crime Stoppers.
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 Long Beach Pedestrian Collision
The following is a general overview of California law and is not a statement about fault in this incident, which remains under investigation. When a driver leaves the scene of a crash that results in injury or death, California Vehicle Code section 20001 requires that driver to stop immediately and to satisfy the assistance and information-exchange duties set out in section 20003. Investigators in cases involving a fleeing vehicle typically work to identify and locate the driver, since leaving an injury or fatal collision is charged as a felony under section 20001.
Civil claims arising from a fatal collision generally turn on ordinary negligence. Under Civil Code section 1714(a), a person is responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care. Where a driver is alleged to have violated a traffic statute, Evidence Code section 669 can create a presumption of negligence if the violation proximately caused the type of harm the statute was meant to prevent and the person harmed belongs to the protected class. The rules governing where pedestrians and vehicles have the right-of-way, found in Vehicle Code sections 21950 and 21954, and the Basic Speed Law in section 22350, are the kinds of provisions investigators and civil attorneys often examine, though how any of them apply depends entirely on facts not yet established.
California also has procedures for the family of someone who dies in a collision. A wrongful death action may be brought by the heirs identified in Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, while claims the decedent could have pursued may survive through a personal representative or successor in interest under section 377.30. Damages recoverable in a negligence action are measured by Civil Code section 3333, and where more than one party bears responsibility, non-economic damages are allocated by fault under Civil Code section 1431.2.
When the driver in a hit-and-run is never identified, uninsured motorist coverage can become important. Insurance Code section 11580.2 generally requires that California auto policies include UM coverage unless it is rejected in writing, and that coverage may allow an insured or certain heirs to recover bodily-injury damages when the responsible driver is unidentified.
What Families and Survivors Can Do
After a fatal pedestrian collision, families can request the official police report, preserve any available evidence such as nearby surveillance or Metro camera footage, and keep records of medical and funeral expenses. Because the personal-injury statute of limitations in California is generally two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and because a hit-and-run investigation can take time, it helps to understand your options early. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Long 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.
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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. NBC Los Angeles – Person dies after being struck by hit-and-run vehicle, train in Long Beach
