A tragic pedestrian accident claimed the life of a man in his 60s on Sunday evening, October 12, 2025, when he was struck by an SUV while crossing Blackstone Avenue south of Clinton in Fresno. The fatal collision has once again highlighted the dangers pedestrians face on busy thoroughfares, particularly when crossing outside designated crosswalks.
Details of the Fatal Fresno Pedestrian Accident
The collision occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Blackstone Avenue, a major north-south corridor that runs through central Fresno. According to the Fresno Police Department, the victim was crossing eastward across Blackstone Avenue when he entered the northbound lanes outside of a marked crosswalk. As he crossed, he was struck by a northbound SUV.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but the pedestrian’s injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at the location of the crash. The Fresno County Coroner’s Office will release the victim’s identity pending notification of next of kin.
The 40-year-old woman driving the SUV immediately stopped and remained at the scene. She has been fully cooperative with the ongoing police investigation. Authorities have reported that there is no evidence suggesting that drugs or alcohol played any role in the collision.
The stretch of Blackstone Avenue where this tragedy occurred is characterized by heavy commercial development, with numerous businesses, shopping centers, and restaurants lining both sides of the thoroughfare. This area experiences significant pedestrian activity throughout the day and evening hours as residents and visitors access these establishments.
The section south of Clinton Avenue features multiple lanes of traffic in each direction, with speeds that can reach 45 mph during off-peak hours. At the time of the collision, evening traffic would have been moderating after the dinner hour, but visibility conditions were diminishing as darkness set in. The location where the victim attempted to cross appears to be between marked crosswalks, requiring him to judge gaps in traffic across multiple northbound lanes.
Blackstone Avenue’s width—spanning several lanes plus turn lanes in some sections—means pedestrians need considerable time to traverse from one side to the other, increasing their exposure to oncoming vehicles. The Fresno Police Department has not yet released information about whether the SUV’s headlights were illuminated or what the precise lighting conditions were at the specific crossing location, details that will be critical to understanding how this fatal collision unfolded.
The Investigation into the Blackstone Avenue Collision
The Fresno Police Department’s Traffic Unit continues to investigate all aspects of this fatal pedestrian accident. Investigators are examining multiple factors that may have contributed to the tragedy, including:
Visibility and Lighting Conditions: Since the accident occurred after 7:00 p.m., investigators will assess whether adequate street lighting was present and whether visibility affected the driver’s ability to see the pedestrian crossing the roadway.
Pedestrian Crossing Behavior: Police have confirmed that the victim was crossing outside of a designated crosswalk, which is a violation of California Vehicle Code Section 21954. However, this does not automatically absolve the driver of responsibility, as California follows comparative negligence principles.
Driver Attention and Response: Investigators will analyze the driver’s speed, reaction time, and attentiveness at the time of the collision. Even when a pedestrian crosses illegally, drivers still have a duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid striking pedestrians when possible.
Roadway Design and Traffic Patterns: Blackstone Avenue is renowned for its high traffic volumes and fast speeds. Authorities will assess whether the road design, crosswalk placement, and traffic control devices in the area are sufficient to ensure pedestrian safety.
Accident reconstruction specialists may be brought in to analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and other physical evidence to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the fatal impact.
Understanding California Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws
California has specific laws governing when and where pedestrians may cross roadways, as well as the responsibilities of both pedestrians and drivers. Understanding these laws is crucial when determining liability in pedestrian accident cases.
Crosswalk Requirements: Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. However, Section 21954 states that pedestrians may not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Crossing Outside of Crosswalks: California Vehicle Code Section 21955 addresses pedestrian crossing outside of crosswalks. It states that between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic signals or police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a marked crosswalk. When crossing outside a crosswalk, pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.
Driver Duty of Care: Despite these pedestrian responsibilities, California Vehicle Code Section 21950(c) requires that drivers exercise due care for the safety of pedestrians on a roadway, regardless of whether the pedestrian is crossing legally or illegally. This means that even when a pedestrian is jaywalking, a driver who could have reasonably avoided the collision may still be held liable to some degree.
Comparative Negligence in California Pedestrian Accidents
California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means that even if a pedestrian was partially at fault for an accident by crossing outside of a crosswalk, they or their family may still be entitled to recover damages. The compensation would be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the pedestrian.
For example, if a pedestrian is found to be 40% at fault for crossing illegally, but the driver is found to be 60% at fault for speeding or not paying adequate attention, the pedestrian’s family could still recover 60% of the total damages in a wrongful death claim.
Every pedestrian accident case requires a thorough investigation of all the circumstances. Even when someone is crossing outside a crosswalk, drivers still have a legal obligation to watch for pedestrians and take reasonable steps to avoid hitting them. The fact that a pedestrian may have been jaywalking doesn’t give drivers a free pass to ignore their duty of care.
We examine factors such as vehicle speed, driver attentiveness, visibility conditions, and whether the driver had sufficient time and distance to stop. These investigations often reveal that both parties share some degree of responsibility, which is why California’s comparative negligence law is so vital for protecting victims’ rights.
The Dangers of Blackstone Avenue and Similar High-Traffic Corridors
Blackstone Avenue is one of Fresno’s busiest arterial roads, carrying tens of thousands of vehicles daily through commercial and residential areas. Like many urban corridors, it presents significant hazards for pedestrians:
High Vehicle Speeds: Posted speed limits on arterial roads, such as Blackstone, often range from 40 to 45 mph, and actual traffic speeds may be even higher. At these speeds, drivers have less time to react to pedestrians, and the severity of injuries in collisions increases dramatically.
Multiple Lanes: Wide, multi-lane roadways require pedestrians to cross greater distances while exposed to traffic from various directions. The time needed to cross increases safely, as does the complexity of judging gaps in traffic.
Limited Crosswalk Availability: When crosswalks are spaced far apart, pedestrians may be tempted to cross mid-block rather than walk significant distances to reach a designated crossing point. This is particularly common near bus stops, shopping centers, and residential areas.
Poor Lighting: Many pedestrian fatalities occur during evening and nighttime hours when visibility is reduced. Inadequate street lighting can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians until it’s too late to stop.
Driver Distraction: On familiar routes, drivers may operate on “autopilot,” paying less attention to potential pedestrians. Distracted driving, whether caused by mobile devices, passengers, or in-vehicle entertainment systems, compounds this problem.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian fatalities have been rising nationwide in recent years, with the majority occurring on arterial roads similar to Blackstone Avenue, during dark conditions, and outside of marked crosswalks.
Wrongful Death Claims in Pedestrian Fatality Cases
When a pedestrian is killed due to another party’s negligence, the victim’s family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. In California, these claims can be brought by the deceased person’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, or other qualifying family members.
A wrongful death claim may seek compensation for:
Economic Damages: These include funeral and burial expenses, medical bills incurred before death, loss of the deceased’s expected income and benefits, loss of inheritance, and the value of household services the deceased would have provided.
Non-Economic Damages: These encompass the family’s loss of companionship, love, affection, guidance, and support. For minor children who lose a parent, this can include the loss of parental guidance and nurturing throughout their developmental years.
Punitive Damages: In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as drunk driving or intentional misconduct, California law may permit the award of punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
The value of a wrongful death claim depends on numerous factors, including the deceased person’s age, health, earning capacity, and the nature of their relationships with surviving family members. California law does not place a cap on wrongful death damages in most cases.
The process of filing a wrongful death claim in California is subject to strict time limitations that families must be aware of. Generally, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of the victim’s death, as specified by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. However, there are important exceptions and nuances to this statute of limitations. If the at-fault driver was never identified or if new evidence comes to light, different timeframes may apply.
Additionally, if a government entity bears some responsibility—for example, if poor road design, inadequate signage, or missing crosswalks contributed to the accident—a formal claim must be filed with that governmental agency within six months of the incident. Missing these deadlines can result in the permanent loss of your family’s right to seek compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be.
This is why it’s crucial to consult with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible after losing a loved one. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we understand that grieving families need time to process their loss.
Still, we also ensure that all legal deadlines are met while handling the complex paperwork and negotiations with sensitivity and professionalism. Our team manages every aspect of the legal process, allowing families to focus on healing while we fight for the justice and compensation they deserve.
How GJEL Accident Attorneys Can Help Families After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
Losing a family member in a pedestrian accident is devastating. Beyond the emotional trauma, families often face significant financial burdens from funeral expenses, loss of income, and other costs. GJEL Accident Attorneys has extensive experience representing families in wrongful death cases arising from pedestrian accidents throughout California.
Our approach includes:
Comprehensive Investigation: We conduct thorough investigations that go beyond the police report. This includes visiting the accident scene, interviewing witnesses, obtaining surveillance footage, consulting with accident reconstruction experts, and reviewing traffic engineering reports to identify all factors that contributed to the collision.
Establishing Liability: We carefully analyze all evidence to determine who was at fault and to what degree. This may involve demonstrating that the driver was speeding, distracted, or failed to maintain a proper lookout, or that dangerous road conditions contributed to the accident.
Maximizing Compensation: We collaborate with economists, medical experts, and life care planners to thoroughly document the financial and emotional losses your family has incurred. Our goal is to secure full and fair compensation that accounts for both immediate expenses and long-term impacts.
Handling Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts by placing disproportionate blame on the pedestrian. We protect your rights by countering these tactics with solid evidence and aggressive advocacy.
Contingency Fee Representation: GJEL works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your family. This ensures that financial concerns don’t prevent you from pursuing the justice and compensation you deserve.
GJEL Accident Attorneys has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients and their families throughout our decades of service. We understand the complexities of California pedestrian accident law and have the resources to take on insurance companies and their legal teams.
Improving Pedestrian Safety in Fresno and Beyond
This fatal accident on Blackstone Avenue underscores the urgent need for enhanced pedestrian safety measures on busy urban corridors. Cities across California, including Fresno, have been working to implement “Vision Zero” strategies aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities, but progress has been uneven. Effective pedestrian safety measures that have proven successful in other communities include enhanced crosswalk designs featuring high-visibility markings with flashing beacons, raised crossings, and refuge islands, which can significantly improve pedestrian safety, especially on wide arterial roads like Blackstone Avenue.
Adequate street lighting at crosswalks and along sidewalks is essential to ensure that drivers can see pedestrians in time to stop safely, particularly during evening and nighttime hours when many fatal accidents occur. Traffic calming measures, such as reducing speed limits, installing speed cameras, and utilizing road design features that encourage slower speeds, can dramatically reduce both the frequency and severity of pedestrian accidents.
Cities should also invest in pedestrian-oriented infrastructure, including wider sidewalks, more frequent crosswalks, pedestrian-activated signals, and countdown timers that make walking safer and more accessible for residents of all ages and abilities. Finally, public education campaigns that inform both drivers and pedestrians about their legal responsibilities and the dangers of distracted walking or driving can help change behaviors that lead to collisions.
If you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident or if you have been injured while walking, GJEL Accident Attorneys is here to help. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your legal options. You can reach us by phone or through our website, where you’ll also find helpful resources ,including our pedestrian accident settlement calculator to get an estimate of your case’s potential value. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the man who lost his life in this tragic Blackstone Avenue collision. We hope that through continued investigation, accountability, and improved safety measures, future tragedies like this can be prevented.
Understanding Pedestrian Accident Settlement Calculators
Pedestrian accident settlement calculators are valuable tools that help accident victims and their families understand the potential compensation they may be entitled to receive following a collision. These calculators take into account multiple factors that influence settlement values, including medical expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disabilities, and other economic and non-economic damages. By inputting information such as the severity of injuries, length of recovery time, impact on quality of life, and degree of fault assigned to each party, these calculators use established legal precedents and actuarial data to generate an estimated settlement range.
While no calculator can predict the exact outcome of a case—since each accident involves unique circumstances and variables—these tools provide families with a realistic starting point for understanding the potential value of their claim. This knowledge is invaluable when dealing with insurance companies, which often make lowball initial offers in hopes that victims will accept inadequate compensation. Settlement calculators also account for California’s comparative negligence laws, adjusting potential recovery amounts based on the percentage of fault attributed to the pedestrian versus the driver.
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, our pedestrian accident settlement calculator is designed to give you a comprehensive preliminary assessment. However, we always recommend consulting with an experienced attorney who can thoroughly evaluate the specific details of your case, identify all potential sources of compensation, and work to maximize your recovery. Understanding the potential value of your case empowers you to make informed decisions about settlement offers. It ensures that you don’t leave money on the table that your family needs and deserves. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Take Action Today – Get the Help You Deserve
“Losing someone in a pedestrian accident is absolutely heartbreaking, and when that person was crossing outside a crosswalk, families often worry they have no legal options. However, it’s essential to understand that even if your loved one was jaywalking, California law still requires drivers to exercise reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians. We’ve represented many families in similar situations and found that drivers were speeding, distracted, or simply not paying attention to the road ahead. A thorough investigation often reveals that both parties share responsibility. Under California’s comparative negligence law, your family may still be entitled to significant compensation even if your loved one bore some fault. The insurance company will likely try to blame the pedestrian entirely to avoid paying what your family deserves. Don’t let them minimize your loss or pressure you into accepting an inadequate settlement. If you’ve lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, please reach out to us for a free consultation. We’ll review every detail of what happened, fight to hold all responsible parties accountable, and pursue the full compensation your family needs during this difficult time. You don’t have to face this alone, and you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case.” –Andy Gillin, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If your family has been devastated by the loss of a loved one in a pedestrian accident, or if you’ve been seriously injured while walking, GJEL Accident Attorneys is ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. We understand that the aftermath of a tragic accident brings not only emotional pain but also significant financial stress from medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income.
That’s why we work exclusively on a contingency fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you and your family. This “no win, no fee” approach means you can access experienced legal representation without any upfront costs or financial risk, allowing you to focus on grieving and healing. At the same time, we handle every aspect of your case.
Our team has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients throughout California, and we have the resources, expertise, and dedication to take on insurance companies and their legal teams. Don’t wait to protect your rights—contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free, confidential consultation. Call us at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Richmond office to speak with a compassionate attorney who will listen to your story, answer your questions, and clearly and honestly explain your legal options.
Essential Resources for Fresno Pedestrian Accident Victims
If you have witnessed a pedestrian accident, need to file a police report, or require information about a traffic incident in Fresno, the following resources can provide assistance and guidance:
Fresno Police Department The Fresno Police Department is responsible for investigating traffic accidents within city limits, including pedestrian collisions. If you need to obtain a copy of an accident report, follow up on an ongoing investigation, or report additional information about a crash, you can contact:
- Main Non-Emergency Line: (559) 621-7000
- Traffic Unit: (559) 621-2400
- Address: 2323 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA 93721
- Website: https://www.fresno.gov/police/
- Online Police Report Requests: Available through the Fresno Police Department website for accidents that have been investigated and processed
For emergencies or to report an accident in progress, always dial 911 immediately.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) – Fresno Area Office. For accidents occurring on state highways and freeways in the Fresno area, the California Highway Patrol has jurisdiction:
- Non-Emergency Line: (559) 262-0400
- Address: 5241 N. Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704
- Website: https://www.chp.ca.gov/
- Traffic Incident Information System (TIIS): Access real-time traffic incident information at https://cad.chp.ca.gov/
Fresno County Coroner’s Office. In cases involving fatal pedestrian accidents, the Coroner’s Office handles death investigations and can provide information to family members:
- Phone: (559) 600-3440
- Address: 1835 B Street, Fresno, CA 93721
- Website: https://www.co.fresno.ca.us/departments/sheriff-coroner-public-administrator-office
City of Fresno Department of Transportation. For concerns about dangerous roadway conditions, inadequate crosswalks, poor lighting, or traffic safety issues in Fresno:
- Phone: (559) 621-8100
- Address: 2600 Fresno Street, Suite 3065, Fresno, CA 93721
- Website: https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/
- Report Street Issues: Use the FresGO mobile app or visit the city website to report traffic safety concerns
Caltrans District 6 (Fresno Region). For state highway safety concerns and road conditions on routes managed by the California Department of Transportation:
- Customer Service: 1-800-427-7623
- District Office: (559) 488-4800
- Address: 1352 W. Olive Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728
- Website: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-6
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) For information about driver records, license suspensions related to traffic accidents, or to report unsafe drivers:
- Fresno DMV Office: (800) 777-0133
- Address: 1377 Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93721
- Website: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/
Fresno County Superior Court For legal proceedings related to pedestrian accidents, including wrongful death claims and personal injury lawsuits:
- Main Court: (559) 457-2000
- Address: 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93721
- Website: https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/
Victim Witness Assistance Program – Fresno County provides support services for crime victims and witnesses, including those involved in hit-and-run accidents:
- Phone: (559) 600-3734
- Website: https://www.fresnocountyda.org/victim-witness-assistance/
Having access to these resources can help you navigate the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, whether you need to obtain official documentation, report safety hazards, or understand the investigation process. However, navigating multiple agencies and understanding your legal rights can be overwhelming during an already challenging time. GJEL Accident Attorneys can handle communications with these agencies on your behalf, obtain necessary reports and documentation, and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation to explore how we can assist you and your family.
