Roy Vogt Killed in Kerman Mobility Scooter Accident

Roy Vogt, 85, Was Crossing Where Two State Highways Meet in Kerman When a Commercial Vehicle Struck His Mobility Scooter

KERMAN, CALIFORNIA (October 28, 2026) – An 85-year-old man identified as Roy Vogt was killed in a mobility scooter accident at the intersection of Highways 145 and 180 in Kerman.

Fresno County officials are saying that the crash occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19. Roy Vogt was crossing the intersection of Madera Avenue, also known as Highway 145, and Whitesbridge Road, also known as Highway 180, on an electric mobility scooter, according to GV Wire.

For undetermined reasons, a commercial vehicle struck Vogt as he crossed. First responders were called to the scene, where Roy Vogt was pronounced dead.

Preliminary information indicates that alcohol or drug impairment does not appear to have been a factor, KMPH reported. The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office identified Vogt as a Kerman resident, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Kerman Police Department at (559) 550-0559.

Because the intersection joins two state highways, questions about signal timing and crosswalk design may involve Caltrans as well as the city. Caltrans has previously replaced pedestrian push buttons at Highway 145 and Kearney Boulevard in Kerman to maintain crosswalk safety.

Families may want to know whether the crossing signal gave someone using a mobility device enough time to cross, what the commercial driver could see, and whether the vehicle’s camera or telematics recorded the moments before impact. They may also want to know which company operated the vehicle and whether the driver had any history of safety violations.

Liability for Kerman Mobility Scooter Accidents

California law treats people who use motorized wheelchairs and similar mobility devices as pedestrians. Under Vehicle Code section 467, the definition of a pedestrian includes a person operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle, giving those riders the same protections as people on foot. Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections and to use due care around them. When a commercial vehicle is involved, the company that employs the driver can also be held responsible for an employee’s negligence on the job. California also follows comparative fault under Li v. Yellow Cab Co., so questions about a pedestrian’s own actions do not automatically bar a family from seeking accountability. Responsibility in these cases often turns on several factors:

• Yielding: Drivers must give pedestrians in crosswalks the right of way, including people using mobility devices.
• Turn Visibility: Large commercial vehicles have blind spots and wide turns that require drivers to check crosswalks carefully.
• Driver Training: Companies are expected to train and supervise drivers to watch for vulnerable road users.
• Signal Timing: Crossing intervals should give slower-moving pedestrians enough time to reach the other side safely.
• Vehicle Data: Dashcams, telematics, and driver logs can show speed, braking, and attention in the moments before a collision.

California’s highest court has addressed what happens when a driver fails to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. In Schmitt v. Henderson, a 1969 decision from the California Supreme Court, a driver making a left turn in San Francisco struck an elderly man who was crossing in a marked crosswalk on a green light. The driver admitted she did not see him until her car was a few feet away, yet a jury found in her favor. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the driver was negligent as a matter of law for violating section 21950 and that a pedestrian with the right of way may reasonably assume drivers will yield unless something warns otherwise. The decision shows how seriously California courts treat a driver’s duty to watch for people in crosswalks.

Protecting Older Pedestrians and Mobility Device Users

Older adults face especially high risks when crossing busy roads. According to NHTSA’s 2023 pedestrian data, 7,314 pedestrians were killed nationwide that year, and 19% of people 65 and older killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians. Pedestrian deaths accounted for 18% of all traffic fatalities that year. Slower crossing speeds and the low profile of many mobility devices can make older riders harder for drivers of tall vehicles to see. Drivers, riders, and communities can take several steps to reduce these risks:

• Scan Crosswalks: Drivers should look carefully for low-profile mobility devices, which can sit below a truck driver’s line of sight.
• Add Visibility: Flags, reflectors, and lights on mobility scooters can help riders stand out to drivers.
• Use Signals: Riders can cross at signalized crosswalks and press the pedestrian button when one is available.
• Request Timing: Residents can ask local agencies and Caltrans to review crossing times at busy intersections.
• Preserve Evidence: Families should request video and vehicle data quickly before it can be overwritten.

Mobility scooters give many older adults the independence to run errands and stay connected to their communities. That independence depends on drivers, employers, and transportation agencies treating every crosswalk user with care. Commercial drivers in particular operate vehicles that can cause devastating harm in a split second. Families who lose a loved one in these crashes have the right to seek answers and accountability. Early access to video, signal records, and company data can make the difference in understanding what went wrong. Safer intersections protect everyone who shares the road.

Investigating Mobility Scooter Accidents in Kerman

We at Feher Law offer our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Roy Vogt. We hope this crash leads to full accountability and to safety improvements that better protect older pedestrians and mobility device users at Kerman’s busiest intersections. This tragedy raises serious concerns about how commercial vehicles navigate crosswalks. Certain questions remain very important. Did the driver have a clear view of Roy Vogt as he crossed?

Have you or a loved one been affected by a pedestrian or mobility scooter accident in Kerman or elsewhere in Fresno County? You are protected by a number of different statutes. When a commercial company and its insurer are involved, getting a straight answer about what happened can become major obstacles. Our team of safety advocates and accident investigators can help you understand what happened, from dashcam footage and telematics data to signal timing records and witness accounts. If you need answers to legal questions or any other support, we’re here for you, and you can reach out to us anytime at (310) 340-1112.