California Highway Patrol Investigating Fatal Fresno Collision After 17-Year-Old Pedestrian Died in Collision with Truck While Crossing Highway 99
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (February 6, 2026) – A 17-year-old pedestrian has tragically died in a Fresno car accident on Highway 99 near Herndon Avenue.
Fresno County officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:00 AM on Thursday. Authorities believe that the pedestrian was trying to cross Highway 99 when he was hit by a pickup truck in the far right lane.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. Unfortunately, the 17-year-old pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the pickup truck remained at the crash site and cooperated with investigators. A full investigation by the California Highway Patrol remains ongoing.
Liability for Fresno Pedestrian Accidents
Drivers must use caution to avoid colliding with any pedestrian on the roadway. This necessitates that they maintain a safe speed at all times. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” There are many steps drivers should take to avoid colliding with pedestrians.
- Drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for pedestrians and other hazards.
- Drivers should maintain a safe following distance with all the vehicles ahead of them.
- Drivers should use their horn as necessary to alert pedestrians of their presence.
- Drivers should slow down during periods of reduced visibility.
If a driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian in the roadway, they could be liable for the collision in a civil claim. Even if a pedestrian is outside of a marked crosswalk, this does not relieve a driver of their duty of care to use caution to avoid accidents. Depending on the particular facts of any case, liability for a pedestrian accident could extend beyond a driver deemed to be at fault. This is particularly true if a pickup truck was being used for commercial purposes. Pickup trucks are used in a variety of different business settings across many different industries.
Steps to Take Following Fresno Pedestrian Accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every year across California in the United States. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, “Pedestrian deaths rose 26% percent between 2014 and 2018. Nearly 7,500 pedestrians have died in California between 2009 and 2018. California’s pedestrian fatality rate is almost 25% higher than the national average.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any pedestrian accident.
- Police: The police should be called to the scene of the collision as early as possible so that they can begin working on a police report. This report can offer key insights into what may have led up to the collision and who could be liable.
- Photos: Lots of photos of the accident site should be taken. These can be useful in a variety of different settings.
- Eyewitnesses: Any person that may have witnessed the collision should be interviewed early on while their memories are still fresh.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died in a collision should seek an independent review of the accident with a legal team experienced in personal injury claims.
Pedestrian accidents are often highly complex. The factors that contribute to any pedestrian collision could take place days, hours, or even months beforehand. They nearly always involve some amount of negligence. Any person that is injured due to the negligent actions of a truck driver may be able to pursue some measure of accountability with a civil claim. This right extends to the surviving family members of any person who died. They are able to pursue damages through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Fresno Pedestrian Accidents
We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian who died in this collision. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the California Highway Patrol. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened.
Do you need more information about a Fresno pedestrian accident? Our team of pedestrian accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to help. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.
