Pedestrian Died in San Pedro Hit-and-Run Collision

Turning Big Rig Involved In Deadly Truck Collision by Gaffey Street and Channel Street

SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA (October 26, 2026) – A 47-year-old pedestrian tragically died in a San Pedro hit-and-run accident near the intersection of W. Channel Street and Guthrie Street.

Los Angeles County officials are saying that the collision occurred around 1:31 AM on Wednesday. A woman was crossing an intersection on foot when she was hit by a tractor-trailer making a left turn after a red light onto Gaffey Street.

The big rig reportedly ran over the woman with the rear tires. The driver did not stop at the scene and continued south along Gaffey Street.

Los Angeles Fire Department first responders were called to the scene of the collision to help the woman. Sadly, she was beyond medical assistance and later pronounced deceased.

Anyone with more information is encouraged to reach out to Crime Stoppers.

Liability for San Pedro Hit-and-Run Truck Accidents

California law requires that all drivers exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian that they encounter. Under Vehicle Code section 20001, drivers are required to stop at the scene of any injury collision and provide assistance to the affected parties. The statute extends to all persons no matter who may have caused a collision. Responsibility for any semi-truck accident will often hinge on a number of key factors.

• Blind Spots: It matters whether or not a truck driver attempted to check their blind spots before initiating the turn.
• Speed: The speed of the truck driver prior to the collision should also be taken into consideration.
• Driving Hours: Another important factor is whether the truck driver was abiding by all federal hours of service regulations.
• Stopping: Whether or not any truck driver stopped should also be taken into account.

If a truck driver fails to stop at the scene of a collision, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Consider, for example, Brooks v. E. J. Willig Truck Transportation Co. (1953). That case involved a commercial truck that struck a pedestrian on an unlit section of Highway 101. The driver later admitted to leaving the scene of the collision. Ultimately, the Supreme Court affirmed the verdict against the driver and the trucking company that he worked for. California law provides that employers can be held vicariously liable for the negligent conduct of their workers.

How the Police Identify Drivers in Hit-and-Run Collisions

Thousands of people are seriously injured or killed every year in preventable hit-and-run collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were roughly 7,314 pedestrians killed in the United States in 2023 that involved a hit-and-run driver. This accounts for a substantial portion of all fatal collisions that year. After any driver flees the scene of a crash, investigators will use a number of pieces of evidence to help determine who the driver was.

• Reward Programs: They may offer a reward program to incentivize the public to come forward.
• Anonymous Tips: Law enforcement may also solicit the public for anonymous tips.
• Camera Footage: Camera footage of the incident could potentially capture the license plate or make and model of the vehicle involved.
• Fleet Data: Truck companies typically capture fleet data that can help pinpoint which truck was where at the moment the collision occurred.

Even a tiny fragment of a fleeing vehicle can help shed light on who is responsible. This is why it is so important that all of the physical evidence left behind after a crash is collected and adequately preserved. Unfortunately, truck companies are not likely to accept responsibility if one of their drivers is involved in a fatal collision. It is more likely that they will claim that the victim was at least partially at fault. The family of any person who died in a truck accident is able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Investigating San Pedro Hit-and-Run Collisions

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman who died in this San Pedro truck accident. No family should ever have to learn that a loved one died in an accident where the responsible party drove away without stopping. We sincerely hope that the driver responsible for this collision is identified and held fully accountable under the law. A number of important safety questions remain.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a Los Angeles County truck accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of safety advocates is here to assist in any way that we can. We are committed to helping victims get justice and holding hit-and-run drivers fully accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any other type of support, we may be able to assist you. You can contact us anytime at 949-727-9300.