Visalia, CA – On the evening of Wednesday, May 14, 2025, a collision involving a Visalia Police Department patrol vehicle resulted in fatal injuries to a pedestrian, according to KSEE.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 9:10 PM near the intersection of Houston Avenue and Rinaldi Street.
Authorities say an on-duty officer was operating a marked police vehicle when they struck a pedestrian in the roadway. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported the victim to Kaweah Health Medical Center, where the individual later succumbed to their injuries. The identity of the pedestrian has not yet been released, pending notification of family members.
The incident occurred in a commercial area near a minimart and gas station, prompting a temporary closure of Houston Avenue at Rinaldi Street while officers conducted an initial investigation. Multiple law enforcement vehicles remained on site into the night.
The California Highway Patrol has assumed control of the investigation to determine the cause of the crash and whether any contributing factors, such as visibility, speed, or road condition,s played a role. No additional details have been released regarding the officer’s condition.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the California Highway Patrol.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as if they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is subject to only partial liability in a pedestrian accident. Should that be the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
Visalia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Visalia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
Martin Gasparian is the founder of Maison Law, a California Personal Injury Law Firm. Martin is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School and has been practicing law in California 2004. His practice focuses on helping injury victims know their rights and recover just compensation.
