Two Pedestrians Killed in Stanton Crash | CA Pedestrian Law
- Tom Feher, Esq.
Two women were struck and killed by a driver at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Cerritos Avenue in Stanton on the night of June 1, 2026, according to KTLA. Orange County sheriff’s deputies responded around 9 p.m. to multiple calls reporting that a BMW had struck two pedestrians. Both women, reported to be in their 30s and 60s, were taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. The driver remained at the scene and had not been arrested as of the following morning.
Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and the Stanton community. The following is general commentary on California pedestrian injury law and is not a statement about fault in this specific incident, which remains under investigation.
Attorney's Take: Tom Feher
“When two people are killed in a single intersection collision, the public assumes the legal questions are simple. They rarely are. A driver staying at the scene tells us nothing yet about fault. What matters is the physical evidence: the point of impact, the signal timing, whether the pedestrians were in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, the vehicle’s speed, and whether anything obstructed the driver’s view.
Families also need to understand that the criminal investigation and a civil claim are two different tracks. Prosecutors decide whether to charge a crime. A wrongful death claim is a separate civil matter that the family controls, and it can move forward even if no criminal charges are ever filed. The evidence that decides a civil case, like signal data and scene measurements, can disappear within days, which is why the early steps matter so much.”
– Thomas Feher, Esq., Founding Attorney, Feher Law APC
What California Law Says
Several California statutes govern a fatal pedestrian collision like this one:
- Pedestrian right of way. Under Vehicle Code 21950, drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, marked or unmarked, at an intersection.
- Driver’s duty of care. The same statute requires every driver to exercise due care and reduce speed to avoid hitting a pedestrian, even one outside a crosswalk.
- Wrongful death standing. Code of Civil Procedure 377.60 identifies who may bring a wrongful death claim, generally a spouse, domestic partner, or children.
- Comparative fault. California uses pure comparative negligence, so a recovery can be reduced by any share of fault assigned to a pedestrian but is not barred entirely.
- Deadline. Under Code of Civil Procedure 335.1, families generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
If This Happened to You or a Loved One
Whether a pedestrian was injured or killed, the same early steps protect the family’s rights:
- Request the traffic collision report from the investigating agency once it is available.
- Preserve evidence. Photographs of the scene, signal timing, and any nearby surveillance or doorbell video can be lost quickly.
- Do not give a recorded statement to an insurer before understanding your rights.
- Track all losses, including medical bills, funeral costs, and the financial and emotional support the family has lost.
- Speak with a California pedestrian accident attorney about whether a civil claim exists, separate from any criminal case.
Questions about a pedestrian injury or loss?
A family member can speak with our team confidentially to understand their options. (310) 340-1112 – Free, no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under Code of Civil Procedure 377.60, a wrongful death claim is generally brought by the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children, and in some cases other dependents or heirs.
No. Vehicle Code 21950 gives pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks, but pedestrians must also use due care. Drivers still have a duty to avoid hitting any pedestrian.
A civil wrongful death or injury claim is separate from a criminal case. A family can pursue a civil claim regardless of whether the driver is arrested, charged, or convicted, because the standard of proof is different.
Often yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, so a recovery is reduced by the pedestrian’s share of fault but is not eliminated, even if that share is significant.
Damages can include medical and funeral expenses, the financial support the family lost, and the loss of the loved one’s love, companionship, and guidance. The specifics depend on the facts of each case.
Generally two years from the date of death under Code of Civil Procedure 335.1. Some claims involving a public entity have much shorter deadlines, so it is important to act quickly.
Attorney Advertising. This article discusses a public news event for general informational purposes and is not a comment on the liability of any specific person. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Reviewed by Thomas Feher, Esq. – June 2026.
