Investigation Underway After Richard Gomez, 36, Died After Being Hit By Semi-Truck Near Gates Avenue and Blythe Avenue in Fresno
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (October 18, 2025) – A 36-year-old man identified as Richard Gomez has tragically died in a Fresno semi-truck accident near the intersection of Gates Avenue and Blythe Avenue.
Fresno County officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:00 AM on Tuesday. Richard Gomez was crossing the road on a mobility scooter when he was hit by a semi-truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Sadly, he later died due to the critical nature of his injuries.
The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene and is cooperating with police. A full investigation into the death of Richard Gomez remains ongoing.
Liability for Fresno Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians already have a small profile and are more likely to be overlooked by drivers. People in wheelchairs and mobility scooters tend to be even more overlooked. According to one study by the Georgetown University Medical Center, “researchers calculated that about 528 pedestrians using wheelchairs were killed in road traffic collisions in the U.S. between 2006 and 2012. This equates to a pedestrian wheelchair user’s risk of death being about 36 percent higher than non-wheelchair users.” Drivers must take certain actions to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.
- Alert: Drivers must stay alert at all times when approaching intersections, especially at times when visibility is reduced.
- Avoid Distractions: Drivers should avoid looking at their phone or engaging in other distractions that could take their eyes away from the road.
- Speed: Drivers must maintain a safe speed at all times. This may necessitate that they travel well below the speed limit during periods of heavy traffic or inclement weather.
Every driver in California has a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway. According to California Vehicle Code 21954, every pedestrian must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on a roadway that are close enough to pose a hazard. This does not relieve any driver of their duty to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, even if they’re outside of the crosswalk. If a driver fails to slow down or avoid collision with a pedestrian, this may be construed as negligence.
Third-Party Liability for Fresno Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial license. They must operate with an abundance of caution to avoid collisions. They must abide by all safety regulations set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Among other things, they must take periodic breast breaks and limit the number of hours that they work each day and week. Truck drivers can be liable for even the slightest negligence if they hit a pedestrian in the roadway. There could also be several other sources of liability for any collision involving a commercial truck.
- Truck Company: The company that a truck driver worked for could be liable for a collision. As a general rule, employers in California can be vicariously liable for the wrongful conduct of their workers who are operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
- Maintenance Provider: Trucks have a high utilization rate and must be routinely inspected and well maintained to operate safely. If the company responsible for maintaining a truck does a poor job and this contributes to an accident, they could bear some liability for the crash.
- Municipal Entity: A municipal entity like a city could bear some liability for a crash if it was caused by a dangerous condition on public property. For example, an intersection may have poor visibility that obscures the presence of pedestrians.
Truck accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to be the results of clear safety lapses. Another major problem is that truck companies may push their drivers to complete routes on unrealistic time schedules. Driver experience can also play a critical role. Younger and less experienced drivers are substantially more likely to neglect checking their blind spots and hit pedestrians in the process. The family of any pedestrian killed in a truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Fresno Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Richard Gomez. Any person who may have more information about what happens should reach out to the authorities. There needs to be a thorough investigation. Several questions still need to be answered. Is there a history of collisions at this intersection? What was the speed of the truck driver prior to the crash? What is the safety record of the company that owned the truck?
Do you need more information about a Fresno semi-truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their legal rights and holding drivers accountable for their negligent actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the cause of any collision, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
