Folsom Boulevard west of Norcade Circle: a man found dead in the roadway was later confirmed to be the victim of a hit-and-run driver
ROSEMONT, CALIFORNIA (October 8, 2026): William Allen Spears Jr., 48, of Sacramento was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Folsom Boulevard in Rosemont, an unincorporated community in Sacramento County, on Thursday night, October 8, according to the California Highway Patrol and the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office, as reported by FOX40 and The Sacramento Bee. Spears was found in the roadway west of Norcade Circle at about 10:30 p.m.
Investigators were not sure at first whether Spears had been hit by a vehicle. A CHP spokesperson told FOX40 that officers took measurements as if it might be a hit-and-run, but would not investigate it as one unless the coroner’s findings showed it. The Sacramento Bee reported that his visible injuries were minor. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
On Monday, October 12, after receiving the coroner’s findings, the CHP announced that Spears was in the roadway outside a marked crosswalk when a driver struck and killed him, then drove away without stopping to help or contacting law enforcement. The CHP has not identified the driver or the vehicle. Anyone who saw the crash or knows a witness can contact the CHP East Sacramento Area office or email 260pop@chp.ca.gov.
The CHP has not said what time Spears was struck, how fast the vehicle was going, what kind of vehicle it was, or what the coroner found that changed the course of the investigation. It also has not said whether any video from the area has been recovered.
Liability for the Rosemont Hit-and-Run
California Vehicle Code § 20001 requires any driver involved in a crash that injures or kills someone to stop, render aid and identify themselves, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash is a felony. Vehicle Code § 21954 generally requires pedestrians outside a crosswalk to yield to vehicles, but the same section says drivers must still use due care for the safety of anyone on the road. Civil Code § 1714 makes every driver responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care. Based on what the CHP has released, the questions include:
- Leaving the scene: The driver did not stop or call for help, according to the CHP. Fleeing a fatal crash is a separate violation and generally weighs heavily in any civil claim.
- Outside a crosswalk: The CHP said Spears was outside a marked crosswalk. That does not decide fault by itself, because drivers still owe a duty of due care, and lighting, speed and visibility will matter.
- A delayed determination: Because the coroner’s findings came days later, evidence such as vehicle debris and camera footage may be harder to find. Early requests for video matter.
- Finding the driver: The CHP has no vehicle description yet. If the driver is identified, the vehicle owner’s insurance may also apply.
Spears’s family may bring a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 against the driver if the driver is found. If the driver is never identified, uninsured motorist coverage on a household auto policy may still provide a path to recovery, even for a person who was walking. Any civil claim is separate from the criminal investigation.
Steps to Take After a Sacramento County Hit-and-Run
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most pedestrian deaths happen at night and away from intersections. In hit-and-run cases, video and debris collected early are often what identify the driver.
- Ask the CHP for the report number: The CHP East Sacramento Area office is investigating. Ask for the report number and how the family will receive updates.
- Request coroner records: The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office can explain how families receive the autopsy report and death certificate.
- Look for video: Businesses and homes along Folsom Boulevard near Norcade Circle may have cameras. Ask in writing, soon, before footage is recorded over.
- Notify the insurer: Uninsured motorist claims after a hit-and-run generally require a prompt police report. Confirm that the CHP report is on file.
Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If the lighting or design of the roadway maintained by Sacramento County is examined, a government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the Rosemont Hit-and-Run
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C., a personal injury and civil rights law firm in Irvine, California, extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of William Allen Spears Jr. Important questions remain: What did the coroner find that showed Spears had been struck by a vehicle? And will cameras along Folsom Boulevard help the CHP identify the driver who left him in the road?
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 October 13, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 8, 2026.
