Keyes, CA – On the morning of Monday, June 9, 2025, a pedestrian-versus-big rig collision resulted in fatal injuries to 32-year-old Hector Lucatero, according to The Modesto Bee.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 9:30 AM near the intersection of Highway 99 and Keyes Road in the northbound lanes.
Authorities stated that a 2022 Freightliner driven by a 48-year-old man from Moreno Valley was traveling in the slow lane when it approached a parked Acura coupe on the right shoulder.
Lucatero, who was driving the Acura, exited the vehicle from the driver’s side and stepped directly into the slow lane, where the oncoming big rig struck him. The impact threw him back onto the shoulder.
Emergency responders transported Lucatero to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, where he later died from his injuries. The driver of the Freightliner remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
CHP officials indicated they are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading to the incident. Lucatero’s city of residence has not been officially confirmed, though the coroner’s office is investigating a potential link to Turlock.
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.
