Atascadero, CA – On the afternoon of Friday, March 14, 2025, 11-year-old José Gutiérrez was fatally struck in a hit-and-run collision while walking home from school, according to the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
The Atascadero Police Department reports that the accident took place around 2:55 PM on the 10800 block of El Camino Real.
According to investigations, Gutiérrez was walking along the sidewalk when a Ford F-150 veered off the road and hit him from behind. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Authorities launched an investigation and, with the help of surveillance footage, located the abandoned vehicle behind an apartment complex a few blocks from the crash site.
On Saturday, March 15, police arrested 31-year-old Zachary Bernal of Atascadero in connection with the incident. Bernal faces charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and felony hit-and-run resulting in death or injury.
Community members have gathered at a memorial near the site of the crash to honor José, who was remembered as a kind and bright young boy. His family has started a GoFundMe to cover the costs of transporting his body to Mexico for burial.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact the Atascadero Police Department.
California Hit-and-Run Laws
California Law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop their vehicle, notify law enforcement, and exchange insurance information with others involved. Failure to do so, considered to be a “hit-and-run,” is a misdemeanor in cases of property damage and a felony when someone has been injured.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Drivers have a Duty of Care towards pedestrians, who are particularly vulnerable in traffic accidents. This responsibility includes being vigilant for pedestrians near the roadway and, if a fatal collision occurs, staying with the victim, alerting emergency responders, and cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.
For those who lose a loved one in a pedestrian accident, filing a Wrongful Death claim with the assistance of an experienced attorney can provide compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, and other related damages.
Should the at-fault driver avoid legal consequences, compensation might still be available through a family member’s uninsured driver coverage.
San Luis Obispo Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a San Luis Obispo Wrongful Death Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
