California Highway Patrol Investigating Fatal Contra Costa County Garbage Truck Accident by Highway 4 and San Marcos Boulevard
BAY POINT, CALIFORNIA (February 8, 2026) – A pedestrian has tragically died in a Contra Costa County garbage truck accident on Highway 99 not far from San Marcos Boulevard.
California Highway Patrol officials are saying the accident took place around 2:30 PM on Friday. A pedestrian was struck by a garbage truck for undetermined reasons.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, the pedestrian died due to the severity of their injuries.
The driver of the garbage truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation into the Contra Costa County garbage truck accident remains ongoing.
Liability for Contra Costa County Garbage Truck Accidents
Drivers in California have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway. According 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 ways that a truck driver may have acted negligently prior to hitting a pedestrian.
- Scanning: A driver may have failed to scan the road ahead of them to identify hazards.
- Blind Spots: A driver may have failed to check their blind spots before turning or changing lanes.
- Intoxication: A driver may have been intoxicated after taking prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.
- Speed: A driver may have been traveling at a speed that would be unsafe given the prevailing road conditions.
If a driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a pedestrian on the roadway, this could be construed as negligence. Even if a pedestrian is crossing the road outside of a marked crosswalk, this does not relieve their duty of care to use caution to avoid pedestrians. Liability for a pedestrian accident could extend beyond any one driver that is determined to be responsible. The company that any garbage truck driver was working for could also be vicariously liable for the collision.
Steps to Take After Contra Costa County Garbage Truck Accidents
Far too many pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every year in motor vehicle collisions across California. According to one report by UC Berkeley, “In California, there were 1,158 pedestrians killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2022. Pedestrian fatalities increased nationally by 0.7 percent between 2021 and 2022.” A number of actions should be taken after any pedestrian accident in California.
- The police should be called to the scene as early as possible so that they can begin investigating.
- Lots of photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Surveillance footage that may have captured the collision should also be sought. Many pedestrian accidents are captured by traffic cameras.
- Medical records related to injuries should be closely examined.
- The family of any person who died in a pedestrian accident should seek the guidance of a team experienced in negligence claims.
Garbage trucks pose a number of unique hazards to pedestrians. They weigh tens of thousands of pounds and therefore pose an extreme danger even at lower speeds. They also routinely travel through densely populated urban areas. The family of any person who died due to the negligent actions of a garbage truck driver may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Contra Costa County Garbage Truck Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian who died in this Contra Costa County garbage truck accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the California Highway Patrol. A number of questions remain unanswered. What is the safety record of the driver involved? Is there a history of collisions on this stretch of road?
Do you need more information about a Contra Costa County garbage truck accident? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to assist you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
