A devastating hit-and-run collision took the life of a 41-year-old man in South Sacramento on Wednesday evening, November 19, 2025. The tragic incident has left a family grieving and a community searching for answers as investigators work to identify the driver who fled the scene. The collision occurred at a time when families were settling in for the evening, transforming an ordinary Wednesday night into an unspeakable tragedy for one Sacramento family.
As investigators piece together the moments leading up to this fatal crash, the victim’s loved ones are left to grapple with the painful reality that someone made the deliberate choice to flee rather than stop and render aid. The community now faces the troubling question of who among them would abandon a dying person on the roadway, and what circumstances could justify such a heartless act.
Details of the Fatal Hit-and-Run Collision
The deadly crash occurred just before 9:15 p.m. at the intersection of Fruitridge and Power Inn roads in south Sacramento. According to the Sacramento Police Department, officers and Sacramento Fire Department personnel responded to emergency calls and arrived to find an unidentified man who had suffered fatal injuries. Despite the rapid response from first responders, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The intersection where this tragedy unfolded is located in a busy commercial area of south Sacramento, with Fruitridge Road serving as a major east-west arterial and Power Inn Road connecting residential neighborhoods to commercial districts. The time of the collision—during evening hours when visibility may have been reduced—raises questions about the circumstances that led to this fatal incident and why the driver chose to flee rather than remain at the scene to render aid.
Specialized investigators from the Sacramento Police Department’s Major Collision Investigations Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to conduct a thorough examination of the crash site. These trained professionals work to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the collision, analyze physical evidence, review any available surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and identify the vehicle and driver responsible for this tragedy.
Victim Identification and Family Notification
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office is responsible for officially identifying the victim and will release his identity only after notifying his next of kin. While authorities have confirmed the victim was a 41-year-old man, his name has not been made public out of respect for his family during this difficult time.
The loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run collision carries a hefty burden for families. Beyond the grief of losing someone suddenly and violently, families often struggle with the uncertainty of not knowing who was responsible or why the driver fled the scene. This lack of closure can compound the trauma and make the healing process even more challenging.
“When someone flees the scene of a fatal collision, they’re not just breaking the law—they’re devastating a family and robbing them of answers they desperately need,” said Andy Gillin, managing partner at GJEL Accident Attorneys. “These families deserve justice, and our community has a responsibility to help law enforcement identify and hold these drivers accountable.”
The Serious Legal Consequences of Hit-and-Run
California law requires all drivers involved in a collision to stop at the scene, exchange information with other parties, and render reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured. Fleeing the scene of an accident, particularly one involving injuries or death, constitutes a serious criminal offense under California Vehicle Code Section 20001.
In cases where a hit-and-run results in injury or death, the driver can face felony charges carrying severe penalties, including state prison sentences of two to four years, substantial fines, and the permanent revocation of driving privileges. When a fatality occurs, prosecutors may also pursue additional charges such as vehicular manslaughter, which can result in even more significant prison time.
Beyond the criminal consequences, drivers who flee the scene of fatal collisions face civil liability for wrongful death. Victims’ families have the right to pursue compensation for their losses, including funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, and the pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members.
Why Drivers Flee and Why They Must Be Held Accountable
Hit-and-run drivers flee for various reasons—some are impaired by alcohol or drugs, others are driving without a valid license or insurance, and some simply panic in the moment. However, no reason justifies leaving an injured or dying person without assistance.
California law enforcement agencies take hit-and-run investigations seriously, dedicating specialized units to these cases and utilizing advanced investigative techniques, including surveillance camera analysis, vehicle debris examination, witness interviews, and public appeals for information. In many cases, tips from community members prove crucial in identifying and apprehending hit-and-run drivers.
Anyone who witnessed this collision or who has information about a vehicle or driver that may have been involved is urged to contact the Sacramento Police Department immediately. Even seemingly minor details can provide investigators with the leads they need to solve these cases and bring closure to grieving families.
Understanding Your Rights After a Hit-and-Run Collision
If you’ve lost a loved one in a hit-and-run collision, understanding your legal rights is essential during this difficult time. California law provides avenues for families to seek justice and compensation even when the responsible driver initially flees the scene.
Families of hit-and-run victims have the right to file wrongful death claims against the at-fault driver once they are identified. These claims can provide compensation for economic losses such as medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost income, as well as non-economic damages including loss of companionship, emotional distress, and loss of guidance and support.
Even if the driver is never identified, families may still have options for compensation through their own or the victim’s uninsured motorist coverage. Many people don’t realize that uninsured motorist policies typically cover hit-and-run incidents, treating the unknown driver as an uninsured motorist. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these insurance claims and ensure you receive the full compensation available under your policy.
Time is critical in hit-and-run cases. Evidence can disappear, memories fade, and essential legal deadlines approach. Consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a hit-and-run collision ensures that your rights are protected, evidence is preserved, and your case is handled with the urgency it deserves.
How GJEL Accident Attorneys Can Help Your Family
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we understand the unique challenges families face after losing a loved one in a hit-and-run collision. Our experienced legal team has successfully represented numerous families in wrongful death cases, securing the compensation they need while holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions.
We provide comprehensive legal support, including thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the collision, identification of all available sources of compensation, skilled negotiation with insurance companies, aggressive litigation when necessary to protect your rights, and compassionate guidance throughout the legal process. Our attorneys work closely with law enforcement and utilize our own investigative resources to help identify hit-and-run drivers and build strong cases for our clients.
One of the most important things families should know is that hiring an attorney typically doesn’t incur any upfront costs. GJEL Accident Attorneys works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your family. This allows you to access experienced legal representation without adding financial stress during an already difficult time.
Families shouldn’t have to face insurance companies and legal complexities alone while they’re grieving. GJEL accident attorneys will handle the legal battle so families can focus on healing and remembering their loved one.
Safety Concerns at Sacramento Intersections
This fatal collision highlights ongoing concerns about pedestrian and traffic safety at Sacramento intersections, particularly during evening hours when visibility is reduced. Fruitridge Road, where this tragedy occurred, has experienced multiple serious collisions over the years, raising questions about infrastructure improvements that could enhance safety.
Common factors that contribute to intersection collisions include inadequate lighting, which reduces visibility for pedestrians and vehicles; poor sight lines caused by obstacles or road design; a lack of marked crosswalks or pedestrian signals; driver distraction and inattention; and excessive speed through intersection areas. Communities and traffic safety advocates continue to push for improvements such as enhanced lighting, clearly marked crosswalks, traffic calming measures, and increased enforcement of traffic laws to protect vulnerable road users.
When infrastructure deficiencies or inadequate safety measures contribute to collisions, governmental entities responsible for road design and maintenance may share liability for injuries and deaths that occur. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether roadway conditions contributed to a collision and identify all potentially responsible parties.
Calculating Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases
One of the most challenging aspects of wrongful death cases is assigning a monetary value to the irreplaceable loss of a human life. While no amount of money can truly compensate for losing a loved one, California law recognizes that families suffer tangible financial losses and deserve compensation for their damages.
Wrongful death compensation may include economic damages, such as funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses incurred before death, loss of the deceased’s expected earnings and benefits, loss of household services the deceased provided, and loss of gifts and financial support. Non-economic damages can encompass loss of companionship, comfort, and protection, loss of moral support and guidance, loss of training and education the deceased would have provided to children, and the emotional pain and suffering of surviving family members.
The value of a wrongful death claim depends on numerous factors, including the victim’s age, health, and life expectancy, the victim’s earning capacity and career trajectory, the nature and strength of family relationships, the number and ages of surviving dependents, and the degree of negligence or misconduct involved. Calculating these damages requires expertise in both legal principles and economic analysis.
GJEL Accident Attorneys works with economic experts, life care planners, and other professionals to thoroughly document all losses and build compelling cases for maximum compensation. We understand that fair compensation must account not only for immediate expenses but also for decades of lost financial support, guidance, and companionship that families will never receive.
Use our settlement calculator to get an estimate of what your case may be worth. While every case is unique and past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, our calculator can provide a starting point for understanding the potential value of your claim based on factors specific to your situation.
Understanding Hit-and-Run Accident Settlement Calculators
Hit-and-run accident settlement calculators serve as valuable tools for families seeking to understand the potential compensation they may receive after losing a loved one or suffering injuries in these devastating crashes. These calculators work by analyzing key factors that influence settlement values, including medical expenses incurred, funeral and burial costs in fatal cases, lost wages and future earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering endured by victims and families, and the degree of negligence involved in the incident.
By inputting specific information about your case, the calculator uses established legal formulas and historical case data to generate an estimated settlement range. While no calculator can predict the exact outcome of your case—as each situation involves unique circumstances and variables—these tools provide families with a realistic starting point for understanding what their claim may be worth. Settlement calculators are beneficial in hit-and-run cases because they account for multiple compensation sources, including potential recovery from the at-fault driver once identified, uninsured motorist coverage under your own or the victim’s insurance policy, and any applicable victim compensation programs.
The calculator considers both economic damages, which are relatively straightforward to quantify, and non-economic damages, such as emotional distress and loss of companionship, which require a more nuanced evaluation. Understanding your case’s potential value early in the process helps you make informed decisions about settlement offers and ensures you don’t accept inadequate compensation from insurance companies.
It also provides clarity during an emotionally overwhelming time. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, our settlement calculator leverages decades of experience handling wrongful death and personal injury cases throughout California, providing you with insight based on real outcomes we’ve achieved for clients in similar situations. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Taking the Next Step Toward Justice
“The decision to flee the scene of a fatal collision is not just a criminal act—it’s a profound betrayal of our most basic human obligations to one another. When families come to us after losing someone in a hit-and-run, they’re dealing with a double trauma: the sudden, violent loss of their loved one and the agonizing uncertainty of not knowing who was responsible or whether justice will ever be served. I want these families to know that even in cases where the driver hasn’t been identified yet, you still have legal options and rights that deserve to be protected. Time is absolutely critical in hit-and-run investigations—evidence deteriorates, witnesses’ memories fade, and surveillance footage gets overwritten. By working with an experienced attorney immediately, you ensure that every possible investigative avenue is pursued while the trail is still fresh. We coordinate with law enforcement, conduct our own investigations, and preserve your right to compensation through uninsured motorist coverage even as the search for the responsible driver continues. No family should face this nightmare alone, and no amount of fear or panic justifies leaving someone to die on the roadway. If a hit-and-run collision has shattered your family, please reach out to us right away. We’ll fight tirelessly to find answers, hold the responsible party accountable, and secure the justice and compensation your family deserves during this unimaginably difficult time.” –Andy Gillin, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If your family has been devastated by a hit-and-run collision in Sacramento or anywhere in Northern California, you don’t have to face this tragedy alone. The experienced wrongful death attorneys at GJEL Accident Attorneys are here to fight for justice on your behalf while you focus on healing and supporting one another.
Our legal team brings decades of experience handling complex wrongful death cases, a track record of successful outcomes for clients throughout California, and compassionate support during one of life’s most difficult experiences. We are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. We understand the urgency of these cases and are prepared to begin working immediately to protect your rights and pursue the compensation your family deserves.
Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you understand the path forward. Remember, you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for your family. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our San Francisco office to schedule your free consultation. Let our experience, dedication, and compassion work for your family during this difficult time.
Resources for Victims’ Families in Sacramento
Families coping with the sudden loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run collision need support from multiple sources. In addition to legal assistance, various Sacramento-area organizations provide grief counseling, victim advocacy, and practical support:
Sacramento Police Department, 5303 Franklin Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95824. Non-Emergency: (916) 808-5471. Emergency: 911. Website: www.cityofsacramento.org/Police. The Sacramento Police Department’s Major Collision Investigations Unit handles all fatal and serious injury traffic collisions. Families can contact the department for updates on ongoing investigations and to provide additional information that may assist investigators.
Sacramento Police Department Victim Services, 5303 Franklin Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95824. Phone: (916) 808-0800. Email: victimservices@pd.cityofsacramento.org. Website: www.cityofsacramento.org/Police/Community/Victim-Services. Provides crisis intervention, emotional support, and assistance navigating the criminal justice system for crime victims and their families. Services include help filing victim impact statements, court accompaniment, and connections to community resources.
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office 711 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Non-Emergency: (916) 874-5115 Website: www.sacsheriff.com For collisions occurring in unincorporated areas of Sacramento County, the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Bureau investigates serious and fatal collisions.
Sacramento County Victim-Witness Assistance Center, 901 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone: (916) 874-5830. Website: www.sacda.org/victim-services. Offers comprehensive services, including emergency assistance, compensation claims help, court accompaniment, and referrals to community resources. Staff can help families understand their rights throughout the criminal justice process.
California Highway Patrol – Sacramento Area Office 5226 Date Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95841 Phone: (916) 348-2300 Website: www.chp.ca.gov The CHP investigates collisions on state highways and freeways in the Sacramento area and maintains detailed collision reports that may be valuable for insurance claims and legal cases.
Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) 1415 L Street, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 321-9000 Website: www.sacog.org SACOG works on regional transportation planning and safety initiatives. Families can report dangerous intersections or roadway conditions and advocate for safety improvements.
California Department of Motor Vehicles – Sacramento, 4700 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95820. Phone: 1-800-777-0133. Website: www.dmv.ca.gov. The DMV maintains driving records and can provide certified copies of collision reports for legal purposes. Families may also report unsafe drivers or seek suspension of driving privileges for convicted hit-and-run offenders.
California Victim Compensation Board Phone: 1-800-777-9229 Website: victims.ca.gov Email: info@victims.ca.gov The California Victim Compensation Board provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime and their families for expenses such as funeral costs, medical bills, mental health counseling, and lost wages. Applications can be filed online or by mail, and staff are available to assist families through the process.
Wellspace Health Crisis Support Services, 4330 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95841. 24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-888-881-4881. Phone: (916) 556-3480. Website: www.wellspacehealth.org. Offers free crisis intervention, grief counseling, and mental health support for individuals and families experiencing traumatic loss. Services include individual therapy, support groups, and family counseling.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – Sacramento Office Phone: 1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435) Victim Services: 1-877-623-3435 Website: www.madd.org Email: victims@madd.org Provides emotional support, victim advocacy, and assistance navigating the criminal justice system for families affected by impaired driving crashes. MADD offers court accompaniment, support groups, and help in understanding victims’ rights.
National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Phone: 1-800-879-6682 24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-879-6682 Website: www.trynova.org A national organization providing crisis counseling, referrals to local services, and information about victims’ rights. Available 24/7 for immediate crisis support.
Sacramento Transportation Authority, 801 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone: (916) 874-7018. Website: www.sacta.org. Works on transportation safety and infrastructure improvements throughout Sacramento County. Families can report dangerous roadway conditions and advocate for safety enhancements at high-crash locations.
Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT), 1400 29th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816. Phone: (916) 321-2877. Website: www.sacrt.com. For families who may need transportation assistance during this difficult time, SacRT provides public transportation services throughout the Sacramento region, including reduced fares for eligible individuals.
Legal Services of Northern California 515 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 551-2150 Intake Line: 1-866-937-5362 Website: www.lsnc.net Provides free civil legal services to low-income residents of Northern California. While they don’t handle personal injury cases, they can assist with related issues such as housing, public benefits, and estate matters.
Sacramento Crime Stoppers Phone: (916) 443-HELP (443-4357) Website: www.sacramentovalleycrimestoppers.com Anonymous tip line where community members can provide information about crimes, including hit-and-run collisions. Tipsters may be eligible for rewards if their information leads to an arrest.
California Office of Traffic Safety, 2208 Kausen Drive, Suite 300, Elk Grove, CA 95758. Phone: (916) 509-3030. Website: www.ots.ca.gov. A state agency focused on traffic safety education, enforcement, and collision prevention. Provides resources about traffic safety laws and victim assistance programs.
These organizations understand the unique trauma of losing a loved one to violence or negligence on the roadways. They can provide both immediate crisis support and long-term assistance as families work through their grief and navigate complex legal and financial systems. Many of these services are available at no cost to victims’ families, and staff members are trained to provide culturally sensitive, compassionate support during one of life’s most difficult experiences.
