Published: September 11, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Riverside, CA) – A high school student from Riverside Poly was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash near the intersection of Victoria and Myrtle Avenues, and police announced this week that a driver had been arrested in connection with the incident.
According to a news release from the Riverside Police Department, the collision took place at around 3:40 p.m. on Friday, September 4. Officers said several callers reported that a vehicle had struck a Poly High School student and then left the scene.
The injured student, who has not been publicly identified, was transported to a nearby hospital. Police reported that a week after the crash the student remained hospitalized in stable condition.
Investigators said they relied on tips from the public and information gathered from automated license plate reader systems in the area to pinpoint both the suspect and the vehicle. According to the release, detectives identified the suspect as a 47-year-old man who lives in Bloomington.
Police said officers located the vehicle, which was unoccupied, and impounded it as evidence. Detectives then contacted the suspect, who turned himself in on Thursday and was booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, according to the department.
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 Riverside Hit-and-Run Collision
When a driver leaves the scene of a crash that injures someone, California law treats the departure itself as a serious offense. Under Vehicle Code section 20001, a driver involved in a collision resulting in injury or death must immediately stop and remain at the scene; a violation can be charged as a felony. Related duties in Vehicle Code section 20003 require a driver to exchange identifying information and to render reasonable assistance to anyone hurt, including helping arrange medical transport. Whether those duties were met is a question investigators and prosecutors typically examine closely in a case like this.
Beyond the criminal process, a civil claim would turn on principles of ordinary care. Civil Code section 1714(a) provides that a person is responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care or skill. If evidence were to show that a driver operated a vehicle at an unsafe speed for the conditions, Vehicle Code section 22350, the Basic Speed Law, could become relevant to how a factfinder evaluates conduct. Under Evidence Code section 669, a driver's violation of a safety statute can, in some circumstances, give rise to a presumption of negligence where the harm is of the kind the statute was meant to prevent and the injured person is within the protected class.
Because the injured party here is described as a student, timing rules may also matter. The general two-year deadline for personal injury claims under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 can be affected by Code of Civil Procedure section 352, which generally tolls the limitations period while an injured person is a minor. If any damages are ultimately allocated among multiple parties, Civil Code section 1431.2 governs how non-economic damages are apportioned by percentage of fault, and Civil Code section 3333 sets the general measure of compensatory damages.
Insurance issues frequently arise in hit-and-run matters. Where a fleeing or uninsured driver is involved, uninsured motorist coverage under Insurance Code section 11580.2 may allow an injured person to seek bodily injury compensation through an available policy, even when the responsible driver cannot be identified at the outset. None of this establishes fault in this particular crash; it simply outlines the framework investigators and attorneys generally consider.
What Families and Injured Pedestrians Can Do
After a hit-and-run, it helps to obtain a copy of the police collision report, keep records of all medical care, and preserve any photographs, video, or witness contact information as early as possible. Because California imposes strict deadlines – including the general two-year limit for injury claims, and separate reporting rules such as the DMV SR-1 report – it is wise to understand how those timelines apply, particularly when a minor is involved. Reviewing available insurance coverage, including uninsured motorist protection, can also be important when a driver flees the scene. If you or a family member was hurt in a crash like this, Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Riverside 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. CBS News – Hit-and-run driver arrested for crash that left Riverside Poly high schooler hospitalized
