Published: July 18, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Fresno, CA) – A 15-year-old was left in critical condition after being struck by a car near Sunnyside High School on Friday evening, according to Fresno police.
Officers were called to a crash involving a car and a pedestrian in the area of the school shortly before 6 p.m., police said. Investigators reported that a car had been heading north on Peach with a green signal when the collision occurred.
A teenager was crossing eastbound along the south side of the intersection against a red light and was hit by the vehicle, according to the police account. The injured person was identified only as a 15-year-old Sunnyside High School football player who had been on his way to practice.
Emergency responders performed CPR at the scene before transporting the teen to Community Regional Medical Center, where he was reported to be in critical condition, police said. According to police, the driver was found not to be under the influence of alcohol and was cooperating with the investigation.
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 Sunnyside Pedestrian Collision
When a pedestrian is struck at or near an intersection, investigators typically reconstruct the sequence of movements, the state of the traffic signals for each direction of travel, vehicle speed, and where each party was positioned when the impact occurred. The account released so far describes a northbound vehicle with a green light and a pedestrian crossing against a red signal, but these are preliminary observations, and a civil evaluation would depend on the physical evidence and any independent witnesses.
California law places overlapping duties on drivers and pedestrians. Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks while also imposing a duty of care on pedestrians, and Vehicle Code section 21954 requires a pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk to yield to vehicles that are close enough to be an immediate hazard while preserving the driver's separate obligation to exercise due care. Signal compliance is governed by Vehicle Code section 21453, which addresses the duty to stop at a steady red light. Under Vehicle Code section 22350, the Basic Speed Law, a driver must never travel faster than is reasonable and prudent for the conditions, regardless of the posted limit.
These duties matter because, under Civil Code section 1714(a), each person is responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care. Where a statute is violated and that violation is a proximate cause of the type of harm the law was meant to prevent, Evidence Code section 669 can create a presumption of negligence. California also allocates responsibility comparatively: Civil Code section 1431.2 apportions non-economic damages according to each party's share of fault, so more than one party's conduct can be weighed in a single case. If liability is established, Civil Code section 3333 measures damages by the full detriment proximately caused, which for a critically injured minor could include medical care, rehabilitation, and future losses.
What Families Can Do
Families facing a serious pedestrian injury can take several practical steps: request the official Fresno police collision report once it is available, preserve medical records and any photographs of the scene or intersection, and identify potential witnesses while memories are fresh. It also helps to understand the deadlines involved. The general statute of limitations for personal injury is two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and Code of Civil Procedure section 352 generally tolls that period while an injured person is a minor, though special rules and shorter deadlines can apply if a public entity is involved. Drivers, meanwhile, have their own reporting obligations under Vehicle Code sections 16000 and 20008. Because the facts of a pedestrian collision are often disputed and the injuries can be life-altering, a family may wish to speak with an experienced attorney early. 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. GNEWS_CA_PED – 15-year-old hospitalized after being hit by a car near Sunnyside High School: https://kmph.com/news/local/15-year-old-hospitalized-after-being-hit-by-a-car-near-sunnyside-high-school
