Published: July 10, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Delano, CA) – A 25-year-old man died after a vehicle struck him while he was crossing a roadway in Delano early Wednesday morning, according to the Delano Police Department.
Police said the pedestrian was crossing the road when he was hit by a vehicle in the early morning hours. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
The driver, described by police as a 32-year-old woman, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Authorities said they had not yet determined whether drugs or alcohol played any role in the collision, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The man was later identified by his family as a former Sacramento State football player who had played on the offensive line for the university from 2021 to 2023. He was a graduate of a Delano high school, where he had helped his football team reach a Central Section championship.
Analysis of the Delano 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 conclusion about this crash, where investigators are still working and no fault has been established.
Investigations into pedestrian collisions often turn on right-of-way. California Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections, while section 21954 requires a pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk to yield to vehicles that are close enough to be an immediate hazard, without relieving drivers of their own duty of due care. Where a person is crossing away from an intersection matters to how these duties are weighed. Investigators may also consider whether a driver was traveling at a speed that was reasonable and prudent for the conditions, a standard set out in the Basic Speed Law under Vehicle Code section 22350.
Civil liability in California rests on ordinary negligence under Civil Code section 1714, which makes a person responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care. Under Evidence Code section 669, a proven violation of a safety statute can create a presumption of negligence when the violation caused the type of injury the law was meant to prevent and the victim was in the protected class. California also apportions responsibility: under Civil Code section 1431.2, non-economic damages are allocated in proportion to each party's share of fault, so the conduct of every party can be examined.
When a collision results in death, California law provides two related avenues. A wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 may be brought by eligible surviving family members, and a survival action under section 377.30 allows certain claims that belonged to the person before death to continue through a representative. Damages in such cases are measured under Civil Code section 3333, which allows recovery for all detriment proximately caused. Because criminal review can accompany a fatal crash, the vehicular manslaughter framework in Penal Code section 192(c) may also be relevant to how authorities evaluate a driver's conduct, though that is a separate question from civil liability.
What Families and Pedestrians Can Do
Families affected by a fatal pedestrian collision can take practical steps to protect their interests while the official investigation proceeds. Obtaining a copy of the police report, preserving any available surveillance or dashcam footage, and identifying witnesses can help clarify what happened. It is worth noting deadlines early: a driver involved in an injury or fatal crash generally must file a report with law enforcement within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and with the DMV within 10 days under section 16000, and personal injury and wrongful death claims are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Because these rules and their exceptions can be difficult to navigate during a period of grief, families may wish to speak with an attorney who can explain their 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. KCRA – Former Sac State football player dies in crash, family says – KCRA: https://www.kcra.com/article/ivan-garza-sac-state-football-player-dies-crash-delano/71891858
