Alfred Hlavaty Jr Died in Oxnard Truck Accident While Riding Bicycle North of Simon Way on Vineyard Avenue
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA (October 10, 2025) – A male bicyclist identified as Alfred Hlavaty Jr has tragically died in an Oxnard semi-truck accident along Vineyard Avenue, north of Simon Way.
Ventura County officials are saying that the collision took place around 10:00 a.m. on September 25. Alfred Hlavaty Jr was riding a bicycle north on Vineyard Avenue when he was struck from behind by a semi-truck also traveling north.
Paramedics were called to the city’s Del Rio neighborhood to help the victim. He was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center with major injuries.
Sadly, Alfred Hlavaty Jr died at the hospital due to the severity of his injuries. The semi-truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Oxnard Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-truck drivers are required to get a commercial license and are expected to operate with a great deal of caution to avoid colliding with any cyclist in the roadway. According to CACI No. 700. Basic Standard of Care, “A person must use reasonable care in driving a vehicle. Drivers must keep a lookout for pedestrians, obstacles, and other vehicles. They must also control the speed and movement of their vehicles. The failure to use reasonable care in driving a vehicle is negligence.” Drivers should take several actions to avoid collisions with cyclists.
- Safe Speed: Drivers must maintain a safe speed at all times. This may necessitate that they travel well below the listed speed limit during adverse traffic and weather conditions.
- Separation: Drivers must maintain at least three feet of separation from cyclists in marked bicycle lanes.
- Horn: Drivers may need to occasionally use their horn to alert pedestrians or cyclists of their presence. They must be particularly cautious in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
- Yield: Drivers must yield the right-of-way to any cyclist crossing within a marked crosswalk.
Cyclists have all of the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers on the roadway. Drivers have a legal obligation to follow other vehicles and cyclists at a safe distance. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code § 21703, the driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than would be reasonably prudent given the speed of their vehicle and traffic conditions. There is simply no reason that a truck driver should ever rear-end a cyclist on the road. There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that hits a cyclist or vehicle in their lane of traffic.
Third-Party Liability for Oxnard Semi-Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks account for a relatively small number of the total vehicles on the roadway, but they are involved in a disproportionately high number of serious collisions. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2023, 5,375 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, an 8.4% decrease from 2022 but a 43% increase in the last 10 years. The involvement rate per 100 million large-truck miles traveled is down 8% from 2022, but up 22% in the last 10 years.” There could be several liable parties for these collisions aside from the truck driver.
- Truck Company: The company that employed any truck driver may bear some liability for a crash. Employers can be held vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. A truck company could also be liable for the negligent hiring, training, or supervision of their drivers.
- Truck Owner: The owner of a truck could also be liable for a crash if this entity is separate from the driver or employer. Under Cal. Veh. Code § 17150, vehicle owners can be liable for the actions of other drivers who had permission to operate their vehicles.
- Maintenance: Trucks have a high utilization rate and can easily malfunction without proper maintenance. The company responsible for the upkeep of a truck could be liable if they failed to properly maintain brakes, engines, tires, and other key components.
- Cargo Loading Company: The company responsible for loading a truck could bear some liability if a truck was improperly loaded and this caused the driver to lose control of their vehicle.
- Municipal Entity: A city or other municipal entity could be liable for a collision if it was caused by a dangerous condition on public property. For example, an intersection may have poor visibility or confusing lane merges.
Truck accidents can be highly complex events. The factors that contribute to any truck accident can take place hours, days, or even weeks beforehand. One of the most critical factors is driver training. Younger and inexperienced truck drivers are more likely to be involved in collisions. All evidence related to a truck accident should be carefully examined and considered. It is also important for surviving family members to understand that they do have legal rights under California law. They are able to seek some level of transparency and accountability through CCP § 377.60.
Investigating Oxnard Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Alfred Hlavaty Jr. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. There are a number of questions that still need to be answered. What was the speed of the semi-truck prior to the crash? Were they potentially distracted? Is there a history of collisions along this stretch of road?
Do you need more information about an Oxnard semi-truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. We can get to the bottom of what caused any collision and take steps to ensure that all negligent parties are held accountable for their wrongful actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
