A tragic pedestrian fatality occurred at a Santa Ana coin-operated car wash on January 27, 2026, claiming the life of a 27-year-old man. The incident, which took place in the early afternoon at Orange Coin Car Wash on North Euclid Street, has resulted in DUI charges against the driver involved. This devastating DUI collision underscores the deadly consequences of impaired driving and the vulnerability of pedestrians in unexpected locations.
The loss of this young man represents yet another preventable tragedy in California’s ongoing battle against impaired driving, leaving a family to grieve and a community to mourn. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 30% of all traffic fatalities in the United States involve alcohol-impaired drivers.
These demonstrate that despite decades of public awareness campaigns and strict enforcement, driving under the influence continues to claim innocent lives. The Santa Ana Police Department’s swift response and the driver’s cooperation with investigators will be crucial as authorities work to build a comprehensive understanding of how this fatal collision occurred and hold the responsible party accountable.
Details of the Fatal DUI Collision
On January 27, 2026, at approximately 2:26 p.m., the Santa Ana Police Department received an emergency call reporting that a vehicle had struck a pedestrian at Orange Coin Car Wash, located at 117 N. Euclid Street in Santa Ana. Officers quickly responded to the scene, along with personnel from the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).
Upon arrival, first responders discovered a 27-year-old man trapped underneath a vehicle in the car wash driveway. Emergency crews worked to extricate the victim, but tragically, OCFA personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene. The victim’s identity has not been publicly released pending family notification.
According to the preliminary investigation conducted by Santa Ana police, the pedestrian was lying in the driveway of the car wash when a vehicle entering the facility ran over him. The circumstances surrounding why the victim was positioned in the driveway remain under investigation.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Following the preliminary investigation and field sobriety evaluation, officers arrested the driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The driver’s name has not been released, and the investigation into the exact circumstances of the collision continues.
Understanding Pedestrian Accidents in Parking Lots and Car Washes
Pedestrian accidents in parking lots, driveways, and car wash facilities occur more frequently than many people realize. These private property locations present unique hazards where vehicles and pedestrians share confined spaces with limited visibility. Car washes, in particular, create challenging conditions with wet surfaces, restricted sightlines, and drivers who may be distracted while maneuvering.
Several factors commonly contribute to pedestrian collisions in these settings. Drivers may have obstructed views due to the facility’s structure, equipment, or other vehicles. Pedestrians may be difficult to see, especially when crouching, sitting, or lying down. Additionally, drivers entering or exiting car washes often focus on navigation and payment systems rather than thoroughly scanning for pedestrians.
When impaired driving enters the equation, the risk escalates dramatically. Alcohol and drugs significantly impair a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to perceive hazards. An impaired driver is far less likely to notice a pedestrian in their path, particularly in an unexpected location, and much slower to respond, even if they do.
California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) makes it unlawful to drive under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, while Section 23152(f) prohibits driving under the influence of drugs. When DUI results in a fatality, drivers may face vehicular manslaughter charges under California Penal Code Section 191.5, which can result in substantial prison sentences.
Legal Rights of Pedestrian Accident Victims and Their Families
When a pedestrian is killed due to another party’s negligence or criminal conduct, the victim’s surviving family members have important legal rights under California law. These rights exist independently of any criminal prosecution the driver may face.
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 allows certain family members to file a wrongful death claim when their loved one dies due to another person’s wrongful act or negligence. Eligible parties typically include the deceased person’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and in some cases, other dependent family members.
A wrongful death claim can seek compensation for numerous losses the family has suffered, including funeral and burial expenses, loss of the deceased’s expected financial support and contributions, loss of companionship and emotional support, and the pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members.
In DUI cases, the negligence is often clear and compelling. Driving under the influence is not merely careless—it is a conscious choice to engage in dangerous, illegal behavior. This willful disregard for public safety can strengthen a civil case and may support claims for punitive damages, which are designed to punish particularly reckless conduct and deter similar behavior.
Property owners may also be held responsible in certain pedestrian accident cases. If unsafe conditions on the property contributed to the collision—such as inadequate lighting, poor visibility, lack of pedestrian walkways, or failure to maintain safe premises—the car wash owner or property manager might share liability for the incident.
California operates under a “pure comparative negligence” system, meaning that even if the pedestrian bore some responsibility for the accident, their family can still recover damages proportionate to the other parties’ fault. An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate all potential sources of liability and build the strongest possible case for grieving families.
Why Families Should Consult a Personal Injury Attorney
The death of a loved one in a preventable accident is devastating beyond measure. During this profoundly difficult time, families face not only overwhelming grief but also practical concerns about medical bills, funeral costs, and lost financial support. Consulting with a qualified personal injury attorney can provide crucial guidance and support.
An experienced attorney can conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage from the car wash, toxicology reports, and accident reconstruction analysis. This comprehensive investigation often reveals details that might otherwise be overlooked.
Legal representation ensures that families understand their rights and options under California law. Attorneys can identify all potentially liable parties, including the impaired driver, the driver’s insurance company, and, if unsafe conditions contributed to the accident, the property owner.
Insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize payouts, even in tragic cases involving clear negligence. Having an attorney negotiate on your behalf ensures that settlement offers fairly reflect the true value of your claim, accounting for both economic losses and the immeasurable loss of your loved one.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an experienced trial attorney can take the case to court and present a compelling case to a jury. Many families find that legal representation lifts a significant burden during an already difficult time, allowing them to focus on grieving and healing while their attorney handles the complex legal process.
GJEL Accident Attorneys: Compassionate Advocacy for Families
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we understand that no amount of compensation can truly make up for the loss of a loved one. However, holding negligent parties accountable can provide a measure of justice and help families secure the financial resources they need to move forward.
Our firm has represented families throughout California for decades, building a reputation for compassionate, effective advocacy in wrongful death and personal injury cases. We know that each case represents a real person whose life was cut short and a family forever changed by tragedy.
When a family loses someone they love due to another person’s reckless decision to drive impaired, the pain is compounded by the preventable nature of the tragedy. These families deserve answers, accountability, and the resources to navigate this difficult time. We’re committed to fighting for justice on their behalf while providing the compassionate support they need.
Our track record speaks for itself. GJEL Accident Attorneys has successfully recovered over $1 billion in compensation for our clients, including substantial settlements and verdicts in wrongful death cases involving impaired drivers. Our legal team brings decades of combined experience, with attorneys recognized as Super Lawyers and earning AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
We have offices throughout Northern California, including locations in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, and Walnut Creek, allowing us to serve families across the region with personalized attention and local knowledge. When you work with GJEL, you’re not just hiring an attorney—you’re gaining a dedicated advocate who will stand by your side throughout the entire legal process, from the initial investigation through settlement negotiations or trial if necessary.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only collect attorney fees if we recover compensation for your family. There are no upfront costs, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your case. This “no win, no fee” structure ensures that every family has access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident caused by an impaired driver or other negligent party, we encourage you to reach out for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options with honesty and compassion.
How Much Is Your Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Every wrongful death case is unique, and the potential value depends on numerous factors specific to your situation. However, understanding the types of damages available can help families better understand what compensation might include.
Economic damages cover tangible financial losses such as medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, loss of the deceased’s expected future earnings and benefits, and loss of financial support and contributions the deceased would have provided to the family.
Non-economic damages address intangible losses that are no less real, including loss of companionship, comfort, care, and protection, loss of guidance and counsel, especially for surviving children, and emotional distress experienced by family members.
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct—such as driving under the influence—California law allows for punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior by others.
To get a better understanding of what your case might be worth, we invite you to use our settlement calculator. This tool provides an estimate based on the specific circumstances of your case, though only a thorough evaluation by an experienced attorney can provide a complete assessment.
Understanding Wrongful Death Settlement Calculators
Wrongful death settlement calculators are valuable tools that help families gain preliminary insight into the potential value of their claim by analyzing key factors that influence compensation amounts. These online calculators typically request information about the deceased’s age, occupation, income, number of dependents, the circumstances of the death, and the degree of negligence involved. By entering these details, the calculator applies established legal principles and historical settlement data to generate an estimated compensation range.
The calculation methodology generally considers both economic factors—such as the deceased’s life expectancy, earning capacity, benefits, and projected lifetime earnings—and non-economic factors, such as the emotional impact on surviving family members and the nature of their relationship with the deceased. While these calculators cannot account for every nuance of a specific case, they serve as an important starting point for families to understand what types of damages might be recoverable and the approximate financial scope of their claim.
It’s important to remember that settlement calculators provide estimates based on general patterns and should not be considered definitive valuations, as actual settlement amounts depend on case-specific evidence, the skill of legal representation, insurance policy limits, the defendant’s assets, jurisdiction-specific laws, and how compellingly the family’s losses can be demonstrated. These tools are most valuable when used in conjunction with a consultation with an experienced wrongful death attorney who can provide a personalized assessment based on the unique circumstances of your case and the specific legal landscape in California. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Take Action Today – Get the Help You Deserve
“The loss of a young life in such a preventable tragedy is heartbreaking, and my deepest sympathies go out to this family during what must be an unimaginably difficult time. When someone makes the reckless choice to drive under the influence and takes an innocent life, the grief is compounded by the senselessness of it all. While nothing can bring back their loved one, families have the right to hold impaired drivers accountable and seek the financial resources they’ll need to cope with this devastating loss. If your family has lost someone due to a drunk or drugged driver, please know that you don’t have to navigate this alone—we’re here to fight for justice on your behalf and ensure your loved one’s life is honored through meaningful accountability.” — Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If your family has been devastated by the loss of a loved one in a pedestrian accident involving an impaired driver, you don’t have to face this difficult time alone. The compassionate legal team at GJEL Accident Attorneys is here to help you understand your rights, navigate the legal process, and pursue the justice your family deserves.
We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case and answer your questions with no pressure or obligation—our experienced attorneys will take the time to listen to your story, evaluate your situation, explain your legal options in clear terms, and outline the steps involved in pursuing a wrongful death claim. What sets GJEL apart is our unwavering commitment to accessibility and results: we work exclusively on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely nothing upfront, no attorney fees during the case, and no costs whatsoever unless we successfully recover compensation for your family.
This “no win, no fee” structure ensures that every family, regardless of their financial circumstances, can access the same high-quality legal representation that has helped us recover over $1 billion for our clients. You shouldn’t have to worry about legal bills while grieving the loss of your loved one—our fee comes only from the settlement or verdict we obtain on your behalf, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Don’t wait to protect your family’s rights, as California law imposes strict time limits on filing wrongful death claims, and critical evidence is best preserved when action is taken promptly. Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today for your free consultation—call us at 1-866-218-3776 or visit our Orinda office to get started. Let us fight for justice and accountability while you focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory.
Local Resources for Santa Ana Residents
If you or someone you know has been affected by this tragic incident or a similar accident, the following local resources may provide assistance:
Santa Ana Police Department
60 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Non-Emergency: (714) 834-4211
Website: www.santa-ana.org/police
Orange County Fire Authority
1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine, CA 92602
Non-Emergency: (714) 573-6000
Website: www.ocfa.org
Orange County Victims Services
401 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 834-3600
Provides support services for crime victims and their families
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – Orange County
Phone: (877) 623-3435
Website: www.madd.org
Offers emotional support and victim advocacy for those affected by drunk driving crashes
California Victim Compensation Board
Phone: (800) 777-9229
Website: victims.ca.gov
Provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime and their families
Orange County Mental Health Services
Phone: (855) 625-4657
24-hour crisis line providing mental health support and resources
