Grass Valley, CA – On the evening of Tuesday, October 21, 2025, a vehicle struck and killed a man walking along Highway 49, according to The Sacramento Bee, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the collision occurred around 9:30 PM on southbound Highway 49, just south of Bethel Church Way.
Officials said a motorist traveling behind another vehicle saw the car ahead suddenly swerve before it struck the pedestrian, who was allegedly in the roadway at the time. It remains unclear why the man was walking along the highway.
Both drivers stopped immediately after the collision, called 911, and stayed at the scene while emergency personnel responded. Despite life-saving efforts, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene due to the extent of his injuries.
Authorities closed the affected section of Highway 49 for approximately one hour while investigators examined the scene. The roadway was reopened around 10:30 PM.
The Nevada County Coroner’s Office will release the victim’s identity after notifying next of kin. The California Highway Patrol said that neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to have contributed to the fatal crash.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Drivers have a Duty of Care towards pedestrians, which includes being vigilant for those travelling by foot and, if a 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.
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.
California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.