An e-bike rider died Saturday night after colliding with an SUV near the intersection of Tully Road and Roseburg Avenue in Modesto, according to the Modesto Police Department. The crash marks the seventh fatal traffic collision investigated by the department in Modesto so far in 2026, underscoring a troubling pattern of deadly crashes on the city’s roadways this year.
How the Crash Happened
Preliminary information from the Modesto Police Department indicates the e-bike rider was traveling east on Roseburg Avenue when he entered the intersection at Tully Road against a red light. An SUV traveling north on Tully Road struck the e-bike rider inside the intersection. The 32-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The SUV driver remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators.
Police said witness statements and physical evidence collected at the scene support these preliminary findings, though the investigation remains ongoing and final conclusions have not yet been released. The victim’s identity is being withheld while authorities work to notify his next of kin.
Understanding Fault in Red Light and Intersection Collisions
Under California Vehicle Code §21453, drivers and riders facing a red signal must stop and may not enter the intersection until the light turns green, except for permitted turns. California Vehicle Code §21200 makes clear that bicyclists, including e-bike riders, have the same rights.
Also, they are subject to the same duties as drivers of motor vehicles when operating on public roadways. This means an e-bike rider who enters an intersection against a red light is generally held to the same standard of care as a motorist who runs a red light.
That said, preliminary police statements are not the final word. Traffic collision investigations often evolve as more evidence comes in, including traffic camera footage, vehicle data, and additional witness accounts. Factors like vehicle speed, driver reaction time, roadway visibility, and signal timing can all affect how fault is ultimately assigned.
Under California’s comparative negligence rule, codified through case law and California Civil Code §1714, more than one party can share responsibility for a crash, and any compensation available to a victim’s family can be adjusted based on the degree of fault attributed to each party involved.
The Rise of E-Bikes and the Risks They Present
Electric bicycles have surged in popularity across California in recent years, offering an affordable and efficient way to commute, especially in cities like Modesto where traffic corridors such as Tully Road see heavy daily use. But e-bikes can travel at speeds well above those of traditional bicycles, sometimes reaching 20 to 28 miles per hour, depending on their classification under California Vehicle Code §312.5.
This added speed can make it harder for both riders and drivers to react in time to avoid a collision, particularly at intersections where visibility and timing are already tight. Modesto’s rapid growth and heavy commuter traffic through corridors like Tully Road have made intersection safety an ongoing concern for residents, cyclists, and city planners alike.
A recent UC San Diego study analyzing California Highway Patrol crash data found that reported e-bike injuries statewide climbed from just two in 2018 to 1,506 in 2024, a trend researchers described as exponential. The same analysis, which reviewed more than 4,000 e-bike collisions alongside tens of thousands of traditional bicycle crashes.
It is found that e-bike riders were more likely to suffer moderate to severe injuries than riders of standard bicycles, with children representing a disproportionate share of those hurt. Researchers pointed to the added weight and speed of e-bikes as key factors, noting that crash forces in e-bike collisions can more closely resemble those seen in motorcycle accidents than in conventional bicycle crashes.
As e-bikes continue showing up on commuter corridors like Tully Road, that combination of higher speeds and heavier equipment raises the stakes for everyone sharing the road, riders and drivers alike.
Wrongful Death Claims Under California Law
When a traffic collision results in a fatality, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim against any party whose negligence contributed to the crash. California Code of Civil Procedure §377.60 identifies who may bring such a claim, typically a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, or other dependents of the deceased.
California Code of Civil Procedure §377.30 similarly allows a decedent’s estate to pursue a survival action for damages the victim would have been entitled to had they survived, such as pain and suffering between the time of the crash and death.
Families pursuing these claims should also be aware of California’s statute of limitations. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, most personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of the incident. Missing this deadline can permanently bar a family from recovering compensation, so early consultation with an attorney is critical, especially while evidence and witness memories are still fresh.
How a Settlement Calculator Works in Wrongful Death Cases
Families exploring their legal options often want to understand what a wrongful death claim might be worth. Attorneys typically rely on two accepted methods for calculating non-economic damages, such as loss of companionship and emotional suffering:
The multiplier method takes the total economic damages, including lost wages, funeral expenses, and medical bills, and multiplies that figure by a number typically between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of the loss and the specific circumstances of the case.
The per diem method assigns a daily dollar value to the loss and multiplies it by the number of days the surviving family members are expected to experience that loss, such as over a projected lifetime.
Neither method produces an exact number on its own. Every case depends on the victim’s age, income, family circumstances, and the specific facts of the crash. A personal injury attorney can walk a family through which approach, or combination of approaches, fits their situation.
It’s worth noting that a settlement calculator, whether relying on the multiplier method, the per diem method, or a blend of both, only estimates non-economic damages. A complete wrongful death valuation also accounts for measurable economic losses, including the deceased’s lost future earnings and benefits, funeral and burial expenses, and medical costs incurred before death.
Also, the value of household services or financial support the victim would have provided over their expected lifetime. Insurance companies often use their own internal formulas to minimize these figures, which is why families benefit from an independent calculation performed by an attorney who can factor in the victim’s actual career trajectory, health, and life expectancy rather than a generic industry average.
An accurate estimate gives families a realistic starting point for settlement negotiations and helps ensure they are not pressured into accepting an early offer that undervalues the true worth of their loss.
E-Bike Accident Settlement Calculators: Estimating What a Claim May Be Worth
E-bike accident settlement calculators used in e-bike accident cases weigh the specific economic and non-economic losses associated with that type of crash. On the economic side, this includes medical bills for treating fractures, road rash, head injuries, or orthopedic damage common in e-bike collisions.
Also, it includes, along with lost wages if the rider was unable to work during recovery, the cost of replacing the e-bike itself, and any anticipated future medical care such as physical therapy or surgery. On the non-economic side, calculators apply the multiplier or per diem method to account for pain and suffering, loss of mobility, and the emotional toll of the crash, adjusting the multiplier upward for more severe or permanent injuries and downward for minor, fully recoverable ones.
Because e-bike crashes often involve disputes over fault, particularly at intersections where riders and drivers may share responsibility, a calculator must also account for California’s comparative negligence rules, which can reduce a settlement based on the percentage of fault attributed to the rider.
This makes the tool useful as a starting estimate, but the real value comes from an attorney reviewing police reports, medical records, and liability evidence to refine the number into a realistic settlement target rather than a rough guess. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with the experts.
Taking the First Step Toward Justice
“Every time I hear about a case like this, it stops me in my tracks. A family in Modesto is now facing the unimaginable task of saying goodbye to someone they love, with no warning and no chance to prepare. I’ve spent more than 40 years representing families after the worst has happened, and I can tell you that answers matter. They deserve to know exactly what happened at that intersection and whether anything could have been done differently. My team and I are here to help them get those answers and to make sure their loved one’s life is never treated as an afterthought in an investigation report.” – Andy Gillin, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you have lost a loved one in a traffic collision in Modesto or anywhere in California, you do not have to navigate this process alone. GJEL Accident Attorneys has recovered more than $950 million for clients over more than 40 years of practice, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fee unless we win your case. Call us today at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Fresno office for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Local Resources for Modesto Families
Families affected by this collision or seeking more information may find the following resources helpful:
Modesto Police Department
600 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Non-emergency dispatch: (209) 552-2470
General information: (209) 572-9500
Traffic collision report requests: (209) 572-9592
Report request email: reportrequest@modestopd.com
Website: https://www.modestogov.com/223/Police-Department
Records Division (report requests, fees, processing times): https://www.modestogov.com/274/Modesto-Police-Records
Frequently Asked Questions (filing reports, vehicle releases, general procedures): https://www.modestogov.com/269/Frequently-Asked-Questions
Stanislaus County Coroner’s Facility
921 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355
Phone: (209) 567-4480
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.; not open weekends or holidays)
Website: https://www.scsdonline.com/administration/coroner-s-division
Stanislaus Regional 911 (Emergency Dispatch Authority)
3705 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95357
Non-emergency line: (209) 552-3900
Website: https://www.stan911.com
California Highway Patrol, Modesto Area Office
Handles traffic collision investigations on state highways and unincorporated roads in Stanislaus County and is a resource for regional traffic safety data.
Website: https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office/california-highway-patrol-modesto-area-office
Stanislaus County Superior Court
Handles traffic citations, court dates, and related civil filings for incidents occurring within the county.
Website: https://www.stanct.org
California Department of Motor Vehicles (Modesto Field Office)
For vehicle registration, driving record requests, and collision-related DMV reporting requirements.
Website: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/field-office/modesto/
California Office of Traffic Safety
Provides statewide data and resources on traffic fatalities, e-bike safety initiatives, and roadway safety programs.
Website: https://www.ots.ca.gov
