A 13-year-old boy was struck and injured during a chaotic hit-and-run accident in central Fresno on the evening of Monday, February 23, 2026. The collision, which also involved a parked vehicle and a physical altercation, left the teenager hospitalized and the suspects still at large. The incident highlights the devastating and unpredictable consequences that reckless driving can have on innocent bystanders — including children simply going about their evening in their own neighborhood.
As the Fresno Police Department continues its investigation, the young victim’s family is left facing uncertainty about his recovery and few immediate answers about who is responsible. Hit-and-run crashes are among the most frustrating and legally complex accidents a family can face, but victims in California have important rights and legal options available to them.
Hit-and-Run Accident Details
According to the Fresno Police Department, the incident occurred around Monday evening near the intersection of Thesta Street and Grant Avenue, close to Belmont Street. A vehicle struck a parked car in the area, prompting the occupants to exit. A physical altercation then broke out between those individuals and nearby residents who had witnessed the crash.
Amid the chaos, a 13-year-old pedestrian was struck. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and found the teen conscious and breathing. He was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the severity of his injuries.
The individuals associated with the striking vehicle fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. As of this report, the suspects have not been located. Fresno Police officers remained on scene to secure the area, collect evidence, and conduct witness interviews. The investigation is ongoing.
The chaotic nature of the incident — involving not only a vehicular collision but also a physical confrontation between multiple parties — made the scene particularly dangerous for bystanders like the young teenager who was struck. It is not uncommon in high-stress post-collision situations for the surrounding environment to become unpredictable and hazardous, posing a serious risk to pedestrians and nearby residents.
The fact that a child sustained injuries amid this unfolding chain of events underscores the far-reaching consequences that a single reckless driving decision can set in motion. Fresno Police continue to urge anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the suspects to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
Understanding Hit-and-Run Laws in California
California law requires any driver involved in a collision resulting in injury or death to stop immediately at the scene, render reasonable assistance, and exchange identifying information. Fleeing the scene of an accident — particularly one involving an injured minor — is a serious criminal offense under California Vehicle Code Section 20001.
A hit-and-run involving injury is a “wobbler” offense in California, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity of the injuries and other circumstances. Felony hit-and-run convictions can carry penalties including up to four years in state prison, significant fines, and a permanent criminal record.
Beyond criminal penalties, hit-and-run drivers also face significant civil liability. When a driver flees the scene of an accident, their actions can be considered evidence of negligence and consciousness of guilt in a civil personal injury lawsuit. California courts may consider fleeing when evaluating damages, and in some cases, a victim may be entitled to pursue punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
For families of injured minors, California law also provides additional protections — including a tolling provision that pauses the statute of limitations until the child turns 18, giving families more time to pursue legal action even if the responsible party is not immediately identified. Understanding these legal nuances is critical, which is why consulting with an experienced California personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a hit-and-run accident is so important.
The Dangers Pedestrians Face in Fresno
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users, especially children. Unlike vehicle occupants, pedestrians have no physical barrier protecting them in the event of a collision. The consequences of being struck — even at relatively low speeds — can include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, and significant psychological trauma.
Children face heightened risk as pedestrians due to their smaller stature, which can make them less visible to drivers, and their developing ability to judge vehicle speeds and distances. Incidents near residential streets and intersections, like the one on Thesta Street and Grant Avenue, underscore the importance of driver attentiveness in neighborhoods. Fresno has consistently ranked among California’s more dangerous cities for pedestrian safety, with a significant number of pedestrian-involved collisions reported each year across the city’s busy intersections and residential streets.
Factors contributing to pedestrian danger in Fresno include high traffic volumes, speeding in residential neighborhoods, limited lighting in certain areas, and distracted or impaired driving. The central Fresno area, where this incident occurred, is a densely populated neighborhood with common foot traffic — including children walking in the evening hours.
Community advocates and traffic safety organizations have long called for improved infrastructure, increased enforcement, and greater public awareness campaigns to address the ongoing pedestrian safety crisis in the city. Until meaningful changes are implemented, residents and families must remain vigilant, and drivers must be held accountable when their negligence or recklessness results in preventable harm to innocent pedestrians.
What Families Should Know After a Hit-and-Run Accident
When the at-fault driver flees the scene, families of injured victims face a particularly stressful path to recovery. However, legal options remain available even when the responsible party has not yet been identified.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: California drivers are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which can apply in hit-and-run cases where the at-fault driver cannot be identified. This coverage may help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Ongoing Investigation: Evidence gathered by law enforcement — including surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence — can eventually lead to the identification and prosecution of hit-and-run suspects. An experienced personal injury attorney can work in parallel with investigators to preserve evidence and build a civil case.
Civil Claims: If the responsible driver is identified, the victim’s family may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim for all damages, including current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Acting Quickly Matters: California has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, but evidence can disappear quickly. Contacting an attorney early in the process helps ensure critical evidence is preserved.
In the immediate aftermath of a hit-and-run accident involving a child, it is natural for families to feel overwhelmed, frightened, and unsure of what steps to take. However, the actions taken in the hours and days following the incident can significantly impact the outcome of any future legal claim.
If you witnessed the accident or were present at the scene, try to document as much information as possible — including photographs of the scene, descriptions of the fleeing vehicle, and the names and contact information of any witnesses. Notify your own insurance company of the incident promptly, as delays in reporting can sometimes complicate uninsured motorist claims.
Keep detailed records of all medical treatment your child receives, including emergency care, follow-up appointments, prescribed medications, and any recommended rehabilitation or therapy. These records will be essential in establishing the full extent of your child’s injuries and calculating the compensation your family is entitled to pursue. Most importantly, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney before providing any recorded statements to insurance companies, as insurers — even your own — may attempt to minimize the value of your claim.
How GJEL Accident Attorneys Can Help Your Family
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we understand that no family should have to navigate the legal system alone after a traumatic accident involving a child. Our team has decades of experience representing accident victims throughout California, and we are committed to securing the maximum compensation our clients deserve. When a child is hurt because of someone else’s reckless or criminal behavior, our job is to make sure that the family has the support and resources they need to focus on healing — not on fighting insurance companies or chasing down at-fault drivers. GJEL will handle that for them.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs and no out-of-pocket fees — ever. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide a free consultation. When representing victims of hit-and-run accidents, our attorneys leave no stone unturned. We work proactively to obtain surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residences, secure witness statements before memories fade, coordinate with law enforcement to monitor the progress of criminal investigations, and consult with accident reconstruction experts when necessary to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
For families of injured minors, we also understand the unique complexities involved — from navigating medical liens and insurance disputes to ensuring that any settlement or judgment is structured in a way that protects your child’s long-term financial interests. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we treat every client like family, and we are deeply committed to standing by your side from the initial consultation all the way through to the resolution of your case. Our track record of recovering over $950 million for injured clients across California speaks to our dedication and our ability to deliver results when it matters most.
Understanding Catastrophic Injury Settlement Calculators: What Your Case May Be Worth
When a child or adult sustains serious injuries in a hit-and-run accident, one of the first questions families ask is how much their case may be worth. A catastrophic injury settlement calculator is an online tool designed to help accident victims and their families get a general estimate of the potential value of their personal injury claim based on key factors such as the severity of injuries, total medical expenses, projected future medical costs, lost wages, and the degree of pain and suffering involved.
These calculators typically take into account both economic damages — such as hospital bills, surgical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and lost earning capacity — and non-economic damages, which include physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and, in cases involving minors, the long-term impact on the child’s development and future opportunities.
While a settlement calculator can serve as a useful starting point for understanding the potential range of compensation available, it is important to recognize that no online tool can fully account for the unique complexities of an individual case. Factors such as the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage, California’s comparative fault rules, the strength of available evidence, and the skill of your legal representation.
All of these play a critical role in determining the final settlement value. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney at GJEL Accident Attorneys provides families with a far more accurate and personalized assessment of what their case is truly worth, ensuring that no element of their suffering or financial loss goes unaccounted for. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Taking the First Step Toward Justice
“When a child is hurt in a hit-and-run accident, the fear and helplessness a family feels in those first moments is something no parent should ever have to experience. My advice to any family in this situation is this: focus on your child’s recovery and let us handle the rest. Document everything, preserve any evidence you can, and please — do not speak with any insurance company before consulting with an attorney. Hit-and-run cases can be complex, but the absence of an identified driver does not mean your family is without options or without rights. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we have helped countless California families find a path forward after devastating accidents, and we are ready to do the same for you. You deserve answers, you deserve accountability, and you deserve full and fair compensation for what your family has been put through.”— Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If your child or a loved one has been hurt in a hit-and-run accident in Fresno or anywhere in California, do not wait to seek legal guidance. The skilled attorneys at GJEL Accident Attorneys are ready to fight for your family’s rights and help you pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Remember, prioritizing healing and recovery should be your top concern in the aftermath of such tragic events. Let experienced legal professionals handle the complexities of your case and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we have years of experience fighting for the little guy and securing the settlements and compensation you deserve.
Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Concord office to schedule your consultation. Remember, California has time limits for filing a claim, so acting promptly is crucial.
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we’re more than just lawyers – your advocates, support system, and path to justice. Let us help you take the first step towards recovery and peace of mind. Call us now to talk to the experts!
Local Resources for Accident Victims in Fresno
If you or a family member has been involved in an accident in the Fresno area, the following local resources may be helpful:
Fresno Police Department 2323 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA 93721 (559) 621-7000 www.fresno.gov/police
Community Regional Medical Center (Fresno’s Level I Trauma Center) 2823 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721 (559) 459-6000
Valley Children’s Hospital 9300 Valley Children’s Place, Madera, CA 93636 (559) 353-3000
Fresno County Superior Court – Personal Injury Filings 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93724 (559) 457-1700
California Highway Patrol – Fresno Area Office 4013 N. Blackstone Ave., Fresno, CA 93726 (559) 243-4000
Victim Witness Assistance Center – Fresno County 2220 Tulare Street, Suite 1000, Fresno, CA 93721 (559) 600-3419
