Healdsburg, CA – On the afternoon of Thursday, May 22, 2025, a male pedestrian was fatally struck by a pickup truck while walking on US-Highway 101, according to KRON.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident occurred at approximately 2:33 PM in the southbound lanes of Highway 101, just south of Westside Road in the Healdsburg area.
Preliminary findings indicate that the man had been walking southbound on the right shoulder of the freeway before turning left into a traffic lane. At that moment, a Ford F-150 traveling southbound collided with the individual. The impact resulted in fatal injuries, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
CHP stated that the driver of the Ford F-150 stopped immediately after the collision and has been fully cooperative with investigators. The identity of the pedestrian has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
As a result of the crash, the number two Lane on the southbound side of Highway 101 was closed for several hours, causing significant traffic delays. Both lanes were reopened just before 4:40 PM.
No other injuries were reported in connection with the incident. CHP is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
Wrongful Death Claims
Even if a fatal accident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, families who lose a loved one can still file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide support to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income.
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.
