Pacific Coast Highway at East 7th Street: a man crossing in a marked crosswalk in his wheelchair was struck, and the driver left
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA (September 18, 2026): A man using a wheelchair was killed early Friday when a driver struck him in a marked crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and East 7th Street and then drove away, according to the Long Beach Police Department. The crash was reported shortly after 12:30 a.m., KTLA reported.
According to police, the man was traveling eastbound across Pacific Coast Highway in the crosswalk when he was hit by a southbound 2021 BMW sedan. “The BMW came to a stop, then drove away from the scene without rendering aid to the victim,” police said in a statement reported by MyNewsLA. Officers performed CPR until Long Beach Fire Department personnel arrived, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released.
A short time later, officers located the BMW and its driver near Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway, about five blocks away. Police said the driver, a 23-year-old Irvine man, was booked into the Long Beach City Jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter, with bail set at $50,000. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Police said speed, distracted driving and impaired driving did not appear to be factors, and the investigation remains ongoing. East 7th Street was closed in both directions between Bellflower Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway during the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ashley Van Holland of the LBPD Collision Investigation Detail at 562-570-7355.
Liability for Long Beach Crosswalk Hit-and-Run Crashes
California Vehicle Code § 21950 requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk, and California law treats a person using a wheelchair as a pedestrian. Vehicle Code § 20001 separately requires any driver involved in a collision that injures or kills someone to stop and render aid. When a death results, California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 (wrongful death) allows close family members to bring a claim.
- Marked crosswalk: Police said the man was crossing in a marked crosswalk. A driver approaching a crosswalk must yield to anyone lawfully crossing.
- Leaving without aid: Police said the BMW stopped and then drove away. Failing to render aid is a serious violation regardless of who was at fault.
- Nighttime visibility: The crash happened after midnight. Lighting at the intersection and the visibility of a person in a wheelchair are examined in these cases.
- Signal timing: Crossing times at wide roadways like Pacific Coast Highway can matter for people who use mobility devices.
Because a driver was identified and arrested, a family can pursue a claim against the driver’s auto insurance, and in some cases against the owner of the vehicle if someone else owned the car.
Steps to Take After a Long Beach Crosswalk Hit-and-Run
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrians, including people who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices, are among the most vulnerable road users in the state.
- Contact the LBPD Collision Investigation Detail: Request the report number and stay in touch with the assigned detective.
- Preserve video: Businesses along Pacific Coast Highway and East 7th Street may have recorded the crash and the vehicle leaving.
- Keep the wheelchair and belongings: Damaged mobility equipment can be important physical evidence.
- Follow the criminal case: Victims’ families have the right to notice of court dates and to be heard, including on restitution.
A California wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the date of death under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If crosswalk design, lighting or signal timing on a public road becomes part of a claim, a government claim must generally be presented within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating Long Beach Crosswalk Hit-and-Run Crashes
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family. What was the signal phase when the man entered the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and East 7th Street? Why did the driver stop and then leave instead of helping?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on September 22, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on September 18, 2026.
