Knott Street at Acacia Avenue: a Toyota Highlander struck a utility pole and caught fire, killing a 66-year-old passenger
GARDEN GROVE, CALIFORNIA (September 26, 2026): Maria Salgado Azucena, 66, was killed early Saturday, September 26, when the SUV she was riding in struck a utility pole and caught fire at Knott Street and Acacia Avenue in Garden Grove, according to the Garden Grove Police Department. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which handles coroner cases in the county, released her name, City News Service reported.
The solo-vehicle crash was reported at about 2:55 a.m., police told KTLA. Officers found that a white 2007 Toyota Highlander had hit a utility pole at the southeast corner of the intersection and was on fire. The male driver and Salgado Azucena, who was in the passenger seat, were both unconscious. Officers pulled both of them out of the SUV and began lifesaving measures until Orange County Fire Authority crews arrived and took over their care.
Salgado Azucena was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, whose name has not been released, was taken to UCI Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said. Garden Grove police Sgt. Thomas Capps told City News Service that investigators were still working to determine what caused the crash and that no arrest had been made.
The Garden Grove Police Department’s Neighborhood Traffic Unit is handling the investigation. Anyone who saw the Toyota Highlander traveling on Knott Street before the crash, witnessed the collision or has video is asked to contact Investigator Lang at 714-741-5823 or mlang@ggcity.org.
Liability for the Garden Grove SUV Crash
Under California Civil Code § 1714, every driver is generally responsible for injuries caused by a failure to use ordinary care, and that duty extends to the passengers in the driver’s own vehicle. Vehicle Code § 22350 also prohibits driving faster than is safe for conditions. Because police have not yet said what caused this crash, the questions typically reviewed include:
- Cause of the crash: Investigators have not released the Highlander’s speed or said whether the driver’s condition, another vehicle or the road played a role. The police report will be the starting point.
- Passenger rights: A passenger who is injured or killed generally has a claim against the driver who was at fault, usually handled through the liability coverage on the vehicle’s auto insurance policy.
- The post-crash fire: The SUV caught fire after hitting the pole. How and where the fire started, and whether any vehicle defect or recall was involved, can matter in a crash involving a 2007 model.
- Pole location and roadway: The position of the utility pole at the corner, lighting and the design of Knott Street may be reviewed, especially if a public agency or utility is responsible for them.
Salgado Azucena’s surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. A civil claim does not depend on criminal charges, and it can proceed while the police investigation continues.
Steps to Take After a Garden Grove Car Crash
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, single-vehicle crashes into fixed objects such as poles and trees account for a large share of traffic deaths nationwide. For a passenger’s family, these steps can help preserve the facts.
- Request the collision report: Ask the Garden Grove Police Department’s Neighborhood Traffic Unit for the report once it is complete, along with the case number.
- Identify the insurance: Obtain the policy information for the Highlander and its driver. Coverage for the driver and the vehicle owner may both be relevant.
- Preserve the vehicle: Ask that the burned Highlander be kept, not salvaged or crushed, until experts can examine the fire and any mechanical issues.
- Look for video: Homes and businesses near Knott Street and Acacia Avenue may have cameras that recorded the SUV before the crash.
Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a public entity is responsible for the road or the pole, a government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the Garden Grove SUV Crash
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Maria Salgado Azucena, and we hope for the recovery of the driver. Important questions remain: What caused the Toyota Highlander to strike the pole at Knott Street and Acacia Avenue just before 3 a.m.? And how quickly did the fire start after the impact?
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 30, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on September 26, 2026.
