Investigation Underway after Josiah Baker, 43, Died in Oceanside Car Accident With Hit-and-Run Driver on Oceanside Boulevard
OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA (October 7, 2025) – A pedestrian identified as Josiah Baker has tragically died in an Oceanside hit-and-run car accident with a pickup truck along Oceanside Boulevard.
San Diego County officials are saying that the collision took place around 10:30 p.m. on September 25. Josiah Baker was walking when he was struck from behind by a pickup truck.
The driver of the pickup truck fled the scene. Paramedics were called to help the victim. Sadly, Josiah Baker was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police eventually located the driver of the pickup truck involved in the crash. Authorities claimed that the driver showed signs of intoxication and admitted to operating the vehicle involved in the collision.
She has since been arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run. DUI charges may be added based on the outcome of an investigation.
Liability for Oceanside Car Accidents
Every driver in California must operate with due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians. This requires that they operate at a safe speed. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” There are many other factors that could contribute to any pedestrian collision.
- Driver Fatigue: When a driver is fatigued, their ability to operate a vehicle safely can be substantially impaired. The CDC estimates that staying awake for only 17 hours can be comparable to driving with a BAC of 0.05%.
- Driver Intoxication: A large portion of pedestrian collisions involve intoxicated drivers. What many drivers do not realize is that many substances besides alcohol can impair them, including prescriptions.
- Dangerous Turns: Pedestrians are often struck by vehicles as they are making turns. Drivers often fail to check their blind spots before these turns.
When a driver fails to reduce their speed to avoid colliding with a pedestrian in the roadway, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There could be several liable parties for any car accident. For example, if a pickup truck was being used for commercial purposes, the company that owned or operated the truck could be held at fault. It is relatively common for pickup trucks to be used in a variety of industries, including landscaping, logistics, construction, and transportation.
Steps to Take After an Oceanside Car Accident
Far too many pedestrians are killed or seriously injured each year in preventable collisions. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, “while pedestrian deaths during the first six months of 2024 fell slightly from the year before, they are 12% higher than 2019 and up a shocking 48% since 2014. Over the last decade, deaths of people on foot have risen at a pace nearly seven times higher than U.S. population growth (7%).” It is important that certain actions are taken after any pedestrian accident.
- Police Investigation: The police should be called to the scene of the collision as early as possible so that they can begin an investigation into what went wrong.
- Evidence Preservation: Photos of the accident site should be taken. These can help reveal what may have occurred leading up to a crash.
- Site Review: It should be determined if there has been a history of collisions at the site of the crash.
- Legal Analysis: The family of any person killed in a pedestrian collision should obtain a free legal review of the crash. This can help reveal all potentially liable parties.
Most pedestrian accidents can be prevented when drivers simply scan the road ahead of them and slow down when necessary. Far too many drivers are trying to get to their destination as quickly as possible, even when pedestrians are nearby. Victims of pedestrian collisions and their surviving family members do have legal rights. In particular, the family of any person who died due to the negligence of another driver may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Oceanside Car Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Josiah Baker. Any person who may have more information about what happened should contact authorities. This was a preventable crash that should have never taken place. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to make this stretch of road safer.
Do you need more information about an Oceanside pedestrian collision? Our team of pedestrian accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and information that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
