Leland Way and 9 1/4 Avenue: Man Found Dead After Driver in a Silver SUV Leaves Without Stopping
HANFORD, CALIFORNIA (October 25, 2026): A man was killed in a Hanford hit-and-run early Sunday, October 25, 2026, after a driver struck him while he was walking near Leland Way and 9 1/4 Avenue and drove away without stopping, according to the Hanford Police Department. ABC30, FOX26 (KMPH) and GV Wire reported the investigation, citing police.
Officers were called to the intersection at about 8:30 a.m. after a report of a person down, police said. They found a man dead near the intersection with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, and no vehicle was at the scene. ABC30 reported that the location is near Hamilton Elementary School.
Detectives and traffic investigators determined that the man had been walking in the area between 6:20 and 6:40 a.m. when he was hit, according to police. Investigators are looking for a silver 2006 to 2008 Toyota RAV4 that is believed to have moderate front-end damage, and they asked residents and businesses nearby to check their surveillance cameras for the collision or the SUV.
Police have not released the man’s name or age, and they have not said which direction the SUV was traveling or whether the man was in a crosswalk. Anyone with information about case H2603886 is asked to call Hanford Police Department Detective Escalera at (559) 585-2540.
Liability for a Hanford Hit-and-Run
Under California Vehicle Code § 20001, a driver involved in a crash that injures or kills another person must immediately stop at the scene, give his or her information and provide reasonable assistance. California Civil Code § 1714 generally makes every person responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care, which includes a driver’s duty to watch for people walking near the roadway. Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 generally allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a death is caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.
- Leaving without stopping: Police said the driver fled immediately. In a civil case, a driver’s decision to leave can be considered along with the claim that the driver failed to use reasonable care.
- A man walking in the early morning: The man was struck between 6:20 and 6:40 a.m., police said, when light may have been limited. Visibility, speed and headlights are typically part of a full investigation.
- The SUV and its owner: Once the Toyota RAV4 is found, its registered owner and the insurance on the vehicle can matter, even if someone else was driving it.
- When the driver is never identified: If no driver is found, uninsured motorist coverage under a family’s own auto policy may be one of the few options available, depending on the terms of that policy.
How responsibility is decided will depend on what Hanford investigators learn about the SUV, its driver and the moments before the man was struck.
Steps to Take After a Hanford Hit-and-Run
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,080 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes nationwide in 2024. When a driver leaves, families often have to gather information on their own while police search for the vehicle.
- Get the case number: Families can contact the Hanford Police Department and reference case H2603886 to reach the detective handling the investigation as soon as possible.
- Ask neighbors and businesses to save video: Homes, schools and businesses near Leland Way and 9 1/4 Avenue may have cameras. Ask them to preserve any recording of a silver RAV4 before it is overwritten.
- Watch for the SUV, and report it: Police said the RAV4 likely has front-end damage. Tips about a vehicle being repaired or hidden should go to the detective, not to the driver.
- Review every auto policy: Look for uninsured motorist coverage on the policies in the household, and speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to any insurer.
Legal deadlines and notice requirements apply after a crash, injury or death, and they vary with the facts of each case, the location and the parties involved, including any public agency. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Investigating the Hanford 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 the man who died. Important questions remain: whether home or business cameras along Leland Way recorded the RAV4 and its license plate, and whether anyone saw a silver SUV with fresh front-end damage in Hanford that morning.
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 26, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 25, 2026.
