Two Reedley residents, a 75-year-old man and his 78-year-old companion, lost their lives early Tuesday morning after a driver struck them in a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Manning Avenue and Haney Avenue. Both victims were rushed to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. Our thoughts go out to their family and everyone in the Reedley community affected by this tragic loss.
What Happened at Manning and Haney Avenues
According to the Reedley Police Department, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Manning and Haney avenues at approximately 4:44 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, after receiving reports of a collision involving an unknown vehicle and two pedestrians.
When officers arrived, they found the man and woman suffering from serious injuries. Emergency personnel transported both victims to a nearby hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries. The driver responsible fled the scene before officers arrived, and as of this writing, no vehicle or suspect description has been released. Detectives are actively working to identify both.
Anyone who witnessed the crash, noticed a vehicle with fresh damage in the days following, or has dash camera or surveillance footage of the area is urged to come forward and assist investigators. The intersection of Manning and Haney avenues lies in a residential stretch of Reedley, and the early morning of the crash likely meant visibility was limited for both the victims and any passing drivers.
Investigators have not yet released whether the man and woman were crossing a marked crosswalk, walking along the roadway, or standing near the intersection when they were struck. That detail, along with the posted speed limit in the area and whether the responsible vehicle showed any signs of braking, will likely play a significant role in determining fault once the driver is identified.
In the meantime, the Reedley Police Department has not indicated whether traffic cameras or nearby home surveillance systems have captured footage of the vehicle involved, though investigators are actively canvassing the area for any available recordings.
California’s Hit-and-Run Laws and Why They Matter
California law is unambiguous about what a driver must do after being involved in a collision that causes injury or death. Under Vehicle Code §20001, a driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death must stop at the scene and identify themselves.
Vehicle Code §20003 further requires drivers to render reasonable aid to injured parties and provide their name, address, and vehicle registration information to law enforcement or the injured parties.
Leaving the scene of a fatal collision is a felony offense in California, and a driver who flees can face criminal penalties that go well beyond what they would have faced had they simply stopped. That said, a criminal case and a civil claim are separate matters.
Even if the driver is never criminally charged, or if criminal charges take months or years to resolve, the victims’ family may still be entitled to pursue a civil claim for compensation once the responsible driver is identified.
Pursuing a Wrongful Death Claim in California
When a hit-and-run driver causes a fatal collision, California law gives certain surviving family members and, in some cases, dependents or long-term partners, the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure §377.60. This statute lays out who qualifies to bring such a claim, including a surviving spouse, a domestic partner, children, or other individuals who depended on the deceased.
Because the two victims were reportedly in a long-term relationship rather than a legal marriage, the question of standing to bring a claim on either person’s behalf may require a closer legal review of their relationship and any dependents they leave behind.
Separately, Code of Civil Procedure §377.30 allows a decedent’s estate to pursue a survival action for damages the victim could have claimed had they lived, including pain and suffering experienced between the collision and their death.
Under Civil Code §1714, every person is responsible for injuries caused by their want of ordinary care. This basic duty of care applies squarely to drivers, who are expected to operate their vehicles safely and avoid striking pedestrians.
It’s important for families to act promptly: California’s statute of limitations under Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 generally gives victims and families two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
How Settlement Value Is Calculated in Fatal Hit-and-Run Cases
Every case is different, but attorneys generally rely on two accepted methods to help estimate a fair settlement value in personal injury and wrongful death cases:
The Multiplier Method takes the total of a victim’s economic damages, including medical bills, funeral and burial costs, and lost income, and multiplies that figure by a number typically between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of the harm and the circumstances of the crash. A hit-and-run resulting in death, where the driver fled and left victims without aid, often supports a higher multiplier due to the egregious nature of the conduct.
The Per Diem Method assigns a specific dollar value to each day a victim endured pain and suffering, then multiplies that daily rate by the number of days between the incident and either recovery or, in fatal cases, the date of death. This method is more commonly applied to survival actions or cases involving a period of suffering before death.
An experienced wrongful death attorney will also factor in non-economic losses like loss of companionship, loss of household services, and the emotional toll on surviving family members, none of which show up on a bill but all of which matter under California law.
Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident Settlement Calculators and How They Help in Computing Settlement Values
A fatal hit-and-run settlement calculator gives grieving families a starting point for understanding what their claim might be worth, at a time when very few things feel clear or predictable. These tools generally ask for specific inputs, such as the victim’s age and income, funeral and burial costs, outstanding medical bills from emergency treatment, and any dependents left behind, then apply a version of the multiplier or per diem methods to generate an estimated range.
Because a hit-and-run adds an extra layer of severity to a case (the driver’s choice to flee rather than render aid or accept responsibility), many calculators also account for punitive-style adjustments that reflect the egregiousness of that conduct. It’s worth being upfront with families about the limits of these tools.
A calculator cannot weigh the strength of an eventual criminal case, the insurance coverage available once a driver is identified, or the specific emotional and financial toll on a family, all of which an attorney factors in during a real case evaluation.
Still, having a preliminary number can help families set realistic expectations, understand whether an insurance settlement offer feels fair, and decide whether it’s worth pursuing a deeper legal review with a wrongful death attorney before any deadlines under California’s statute of limitations pass. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with the experts.
Take Action Today – Get the Help You Deserve
“Every time I read about a hit-and-run that takes two lives at once, it’s a gut punch. These were two people who had built a life and a relationship together in Reedley, and in an instant, a driver who refused to stop took that from them and from everyone who loved them. Families in situations like this deserve real answers, not just from the police investigation, but also about what legal options they have while that investigation continues. My team and I have spent over 40 years helping California families hold negligent and fleeing drivers accountable, and we never charge a fee unless we recover compensation for our clients. If your family has been affected by this crash or a similar one, please reach out to us. You shouldn’t have to carry this alone.”- Andy Gillin, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you’ve lost a loved one in a hit-and-run crash, you don’t have to face insurance companies, investigators, or an uncertain legal process on your own. GJEL Accident Attorneys has recovered over $950 million for California families over more than 40 years of practice. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing 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 Reedley Families
Families, witnesses, and anyone affected by this crash may find the following agencies helpful for reporting information, understanding the investigation, or seeking support:
Reedley Police Department
Investigating agency for this crash
843 G Street, Reedley, CA 93654
Non-Emergency Line: (559) 637-4250
Tip Line (English): (559) 356-8690
Tip Line (Spanish): (559) 246-4183
Website: https://reedley.ca.gov/police-department/
California Highway Patrol – Fresno Area Office
Covers traffic safety programs and unincorporated roadways throughout Fresno County, including the greater Reedley area
1380 E. Fortune Avenue, Fresno, CA 93725
Phone: (559) 705-2200
Website: https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office/central-division/435-fresno
Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office
For families seeking information on the identification, release, or coroner’s report of a loved one
3333 E. American Avenue, Suite G, Fresno, CA 93725
Phone: (559) 600-3400
Website: https://www.fresnosheriff.org/coroner.html
Fresno County District Attorney’s Office – Victim Witness Resources
Provides victim compensation guidance, case status updates, and support services if the driver is identified and charged
2100 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 600-3141
Website: https://www.fresnoda.org/Victim-Witness-Resources
California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB)
State program that may help eligible families cover funeral, burial, and related expenses after a fatal crime
Website: https://victims.ca.gov
City of Reedley Engineering Department / Traffic Safety Commission
Oversees traffic signals, signage, and roadway safety improvements within Reedley city limits, including Manning and Haney Avenues
1733 9th Street, Reedley, CA 93654
Phone: (559) 637-4200
Website: https://reedley.ca.gov/engineering-department/
