De Soto Avenue at Lassen Street: Man Killed in a Crosswalk and Driver Leaves the Scene
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA (October 18, 2026): A man was killed in a Chatsworth hit-and-run at De Soto Avenue and Lassen Street shortly after midnight on Sunday, October 18, 2026, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. A vehicle traveling south on De Soto Avenue struck the man while he was walking in a marked crosswalk and kept going, an LAPD spokesman told City News Service. KTLA also reported the crash, citing an LAPD spokesperson. The man, described only as being in his 30s, has not been identified.
The crash happened at about 12:39 a.m., according to the LAPD. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, the department said. Police described the vehicle as a black and gray BMW SUV, KTLA reported, and the driver was believed to be a man whose age was not known, according to City News Service.
The LAPD has not released any further details about the crash, including how fast the vehicle was traveling, which direction the man was crossing or whether any cameras in the area recorded the vehicle. Neither the LAPD nor the news reports have mentioned an arrest.
Police have not said whether they have a license plate or a more detailed description of the BMW, or whether the driver may have stopped nearby. Anyone who saw the crash or has information about a black and gray BMW SUV in the area is asked to contact the LAPD.
Liability for Chatsworth Hit-and-Run Crashes
Under California Vehicle Code § 20001, a driver involved in a crash that injures or kills someone must stop, give aid and identify themselves, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash is generally a felony. Vehicle Code § 21950 generally requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk, and Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 lists the family members who may generally bring a wrongful death claim.
- A marked crosswalk: The LAPD said the man was walking in a marked crosswalk. Under California law, drivers generally must yield to pedestrians crossing within a marked crosswalk and slow down or stop as needed to do so safely.
- Leaving the scene: The driver did not stop, according to police. Under Vehicle Code § 20001, the duty to stop and help is separate from who caused the crash, and failing to stop is a crime in itself.
- The vehicle description: Police are looking for a black and gray BMW SUV. If the driver is identified, a wrongful death claim is generally made against the driver and, often, the owner of the vehicle under Vehicle Code § 17150.
- If the driver is never found: When a hit-and-run driver is not identified, the family may still be able to make a claim under an uninsured motorist policy that covered the victim or a household member, which usually has strict notice requirements.
These are general principles of California law, not conclusions about this crash, which remains under investigation by the LAPD.
Steps to Take After a Chatsworth Hit-and-Run
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2023, and most pedestrian deaths happen at night. After a crash like the one at De Soto Avenue and Lassen Street, families can generally:
- Get the report number: Ask the LAPD for the traffic report number and the name of the investigator handling the case, and request the report when it becomes available.
- Report the claim quickly: Notify any auto insurer that may provide uninsured motorist coverage as soon as possible. Many policies require prompt notice and a police report in hit-and-run cases.
- Look for video: Businesses, homes and vehicles near the intersection may have cameras. Video is often recorded over within days, so it helps to ask early.
- Keep records: Save medical, funeral and employment records, along with any messages from the police, the coroner or insurers.
Wrongful death claims in California are generally subject to the two-year deadline in Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, and uninsured motorist claims can have shorter notice requirements. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the De Soto Avenue 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 in Chatsworth. Two questions remain open: did traffic or business cameras along De Soto Avenue record the BMW before or after the crash, and was the crosswalk at Lassen Street lit and marked in a way that drivers could see at that hour?
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 18, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 18, 2026.
