Victory Boulevard and Cedros Avenue: Driver of a Red Sedan Drags Injured Pedestrian Several Blocks and Flees
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (November 5, 2026): A man was killed in a Van Nuys hit-and-run on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after he was struck by one car while crossing Victory Boulevard and then hit and dragged by a second vehicle whose driver did not stop, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The crashes happened around 6 p.m. near Victory Boulevard and Cedros Avenue, police said, and detectives are searching for the driver of the second vehicle.
The man was crossing Victory Boulevard between Willis Avenue and Cedros Avenue when an eastbound car struck him, ABC7 and NBC Los Angeles reported, citing the LAPD. ABC7 reported that the first car was a blue Volvo. Its driver stopped, stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, according to police.
While the man was still in the roadway, a second vehicle traveling north on Cedros Avenue struck him, police said. KTLA and NBC Los Angeles reported that investigators described that vehicle as a possible red, four-door Cadillac. The man became trapped under the car and was dragged for several blocks before he came free in front of Van Nuys High School, ABC7 reported, citing police. He died at the scene. The driver of the red sedan kept going north without stopping to help, according to the LAPD.
The man has not been publicly identified while authorities notify his family. Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Valley Traffic Division Officer Hansen at 818-644-8255 or Detective Martinez at 818-644-8033. During nights and weekends, calls can go to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).
Police have not released a license plate or a description of the driver who fled, and they have not said whether the crash was captured on video or whether anyone has been arrested. These are early accounts. Fault is determined by investigators and, in civil cases, by the courts, and initial findings sometimes change.
Liability for the Van Nuys Hit-and-Run on Cedros Avenue
California Vehicle Code § 20001 generally requires a driver involved in a crash that injures or kills someone to stop immediately, help the injured and identify themselves. Under Vehicle Code § 21954, a pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk generally must yield to nearby traffic, but the same law says drivers still have a duty to use due care for the safety of any pedestrian on the roadway. Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a death is caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another person.
- Failure to stop: Police said the driver of the red sedan dragged the man several blocks and kept driving, conduct that § 20001 generally prohibits and that is the focus of the Valley Traffic Division investigation.
- Due care for a person in the road: After the first crash the man was injured and still in the street, and § 21954 generally keeps every driver responsible for watching out for a pedestrian in the roadway.
- Two separate collisions: Investigators generally look at each vehicle on its own, including the driver who stopped and the driver who fled, and how each impact contributed to the death.
- Coverage when a driver is not found: If the fleeing driver is never identified, uninsured motorist coverage on a family auto policy may apply to a person struck as a pedestrian, depending on the terms of the policy.
Every case turns on its own facts and the evidence collected. Responsibility will be decided by investigators and, in any civil case, by the courts.
Steps to Take After a Van Nuys Hit-and-Run
Hit-and-run investigations often depend on witnesses and on video from homes, businesses and vehicles along the route. The LAPD Valley Traffic Division handles this case and is asking for the public’s help. These steps can help:
- Call with any detail: Anyone who was near Victory Boulevard or along Cedros Avenue toward Van Nuys High School on Thursday evening should contact the Valley Traffic Division, even if the detail seems small.
- Save video: Homes, businesses and drivers with dash cameras along Cedros Avenue may have recorded the red sedan; save the footage and share it with police as soon as possible.
- Keep records together: Families should keep the police report number, the Medical Examiner case information and any documents from investigators in one place.
- Be careful with insurers: Avoid giving recorded statements about how the crash happened before getting legal guidance, and report the loss to your own insurer as soon as possible.
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 Van Nuys Hit-and-Run on Cedros Avenue
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: Did cameras near Van Nuys High School or along Cedros Avenue record the red sedan and its license plate? And how much time passed between the first crash and the moment the second vehicle reached the man in the roadway?
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 6, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on November 5, 2026.
