Bushard Street and Slater Avenue: Two Die in Early Morning Intersection Crash Near Fountain Valley High School
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA (November 3, 2026): Two people were killed and a third person was hurt in a Fountain Valley crash at Bushard Street and Slater Avenue at about 4:36 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2026, according to the Fountain Valley Police Department, as reported by KTLA, NBC Los Angeles and City News Service. The intersection is near Fountain Valley High School.
Officers found two vehicles involved: a Ford Flex with a male driver, and a Nissan Kicks with a female driver and a male passenger, police said. Both people in the Nissan were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford, the only person in that SUV, was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
A preliminary investigation indicated the Nissan was traveling east on Slater Avenue and the Ford was traveling north on Bushard Street when they collided in the intersection, police said. “The cause of the collision is still under investigation,” the department said, adding that the impairment of the drivers is unknown.
The names of the man and woman who died are being withheld until their families are notified, according to police. Anyone who saw the crash or has information is asked to call the Fountain Valley Police Department Traffic Bureau at (714) 593-4481 and reference case 26-36679.
Police have not said what the traffic signal showed for each vehicle, which driver had the right of way, how fast the vehicles were traveling or whether either driver will face charges. These are early findings from an open investigation. Fault is determined by investigators and, in civil cases, by the courts, and initial findings sometimes change.
Liability for a Fountain Valley Intersection Crash
California Civil Code § 1714 makes everyone generally responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care, including in the operation of a vehicle. Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 lists the family members who may generally bring a wrongful death claim. In a crash between two vehicles on crossing streets, the investigation into the signal, speed and right of way usually shapes any civil claim.
- Right of way: The Nissan and the Ford were on crossing streets when they collided, police said. Which driver had the green light or the right of way will be central, and investigators have not released that finding.
- Passengers: The man in the Nissan was a passenger, according to police. A passenger generally may have a claim against any driver whose negligence contributed to a crash, including the driver of the car they were riding in.
- Impairment unknown: Police said they do not yet know whether impairment played a role for either driver. If impairment is later found, it would be important evidence in a civil case under Section 1714.
- Family claims: Under Section 377.60, a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children and certain other relatives of each person who died may generally bring a wrongful death claim. The insurance policies on both vehicles, and the families’ own policies, can matter.
A criminal investigation and a civil claim are separate processes, and a civil case uses a different standard of proof.
Steps to Take After a Fountain Valley Fatal Crash
Investigators are still reconstructing this crash, so early evidence matters. If you were hurt, or you lost a loved one, in an intersection crash in Orange County, these steps help protect the information a claim depends on:
- Contact the Traffic Bureau: Ask the Fountain Valley Police Department how to obtain the collision report, using case number 26-36679, and share anything you saw.
- Preserve video: Homes, businesses and cameras near Bushard Street and the school may have recorded the crash. Ask owners to save footage, because many systems record over it.
- Keep records: Save hospital, Orange County Coroner and towing records, along with photos of the vehicles and the intersection.
- Be careful with insurers: Report the crash to your own auto insurer, but avoid recorded statements or signing releases with any insurance company before getting legal guidance.
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 Bushard Street and Slater Avenue Crash
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C., a personal injury and civil rights law firm in Irvine, California, extend our condolences to the families and friends of the man and woman who died. Two questions remain open: what the traffic signal showed for each direction at 4:36 a.m., and whether speed played a role on Bushard Street or Slater Avenue before dawn.
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 November 4, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on November 3, 2026.
