Road Worker Killed in Big Bear Hit-and-Run on State Route 38

Published: September 2, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC

(Big Bear Lake, CA) – A road construction worker died after being struck by a vehicle that authorities said drove through a work-zone closure on State Route 38 near Big Bear before the driver left the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP reported that the collision happened at about 7:07 a.m. on August 31, 2026, on eastbound State Route 38, just east of Green Way Drive in the Big Bear area. Officers said a 2012 Toyota, headed eastbound, struck a worker who was standing within a construction closure in the roadway.

In its news release, the CHP stated: "For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota drove through the cone pattern and struck the male pedestrian." Investigators said the vehicle then continued eastbound on State Route 38 away from the scene.

Emergency crews responded and administered CPR, according to the CHP. The agency said the worker was taken to Bear Valley Hospital with major injuries and later died. The San Bernardino County Coroner's Office identified the worker as a 43-year-old Riverside man.

The crash led to an extended shutdown of the roadway during the investigation, and the CHP said the highway reopened shortly before 3:30 p.m. In a September 1, 2026 release, the CHP said Arrowhead Area officers took a 90-year-old Big Bear Lake man into custody at about 2:45 p.m. on August 31 in the 41600 block of Mockingbird in Big Bear Lake. According to booking records, he was held on suspicion of voluntary manslaughter under PC 192(a) and hit-and-run involving injury under VC 20001(a), and was later released on bail.

The CHP said its Inland Division Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team and Investigative Services Unit are assisting with the case, and anyone with information may contact the Arrowhead Area Office.

Analysis of the State Route 38 Work-Zone Collision

The following is a general overview of California law and is not a statement about fault in this case, which remains under investigation. When a driver involved in a crash that injures or kills someone leaves without stopping, California Vehicle Code section 20001 requires that driver to stop immediately and to meet the duties in section 20003, which include exchanging identifying information and rendering reasonable assistance to anyone hurt. A violation can be charged as a felony, and investigators typically work to determine whether those legal duties were met.

Investigators in a fatal work-zone collision often examine the conditions leading up to impact, including speed. Under Vehicle Code section 22350, the Basic Speed Law, a driver may not travel faster than is reasonable and prudent given weather, visibility, traffic, and the width and surface of the road. Where evidence shows a driver violated a safety statute, Evidence Code section 669 can allow a presumption of negligence if the violation was a proximate cause of the injury and the injured person was among those the statute was meant to protect. These principles apply only if and as the evidence ultimately supports them.

Separate from any criminal case, California recognizes civil claims after a death. Civil Code section 1714(a) sets the general rule that a person is responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care. When a death results, Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 identifies the family members who may bring a wrongful death action, and section 377.30 provides for a survival action pursued by the decedent's personal representative or successor in interest. The measure of damages in such cases is governed by Civil Code section 3333.

Because this crash was reported as a hit-and-run, insurance questions can also arise. Under Insurance Code section 11580.2, California auto policies must include uninsured motorist coverage unless it is rejected in writing, and that coverage can apply when an at-fault driver is unidentified, including in hit-and-run situations. If more than one party bears fault, Civil Code section 1431.2 governs how non-economic damages are apportioned.

What Families and Workers Can Do

Families affected by a fatal roadway collision can take several practical steps: request the CHP collision report once it is available, preserve evidence such as photographs and the names of any witnesses, keep medical and funeral records, and be mindful of legal deadlines, including the two-year personal injury statute of limitations under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Because work-zone and hit-and-run cases can involve overlapping criminal proceedings, insurance coverage questions, and questions about job-site safety, speaking with an experienced attorney early can help protect a family's rights. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A California 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. RSS_VVNG – UPDATE: 90-Year-Old Driver Arrested After Worker Killed In Big Bear Hit-And-Run: https://www.vvng.com/worker-killed-in-big-bear-hit-and-run-identified-as-43-year-old-riverside-man/