Sonoma County, CA – On the morning of Sunday, July 12, 2026, a collision with an RV resulted in the death of a 4-year-old girl at a campground in Salt Point State Park, according to KRON.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place just after 11:00 AM at Salt Point State Park.
Authorities said the driver of the motorhome was leaving the campground and attempted to pull forward at a slow speed, but the RV was mistakenly left in reverse and rolled backward, striking the girl, who was behind the vehicle. She was pinned beneath the RV when firefighters arrived. Emergency crews lifted the vehicle to free her, and she was airlifted to Oakland Children’s Hospital. She was later confirmed to have died from her injuries that afternoon.
The driver, described as a family friend of the victim, cooperated with law enforcement, and no arrests were made. CHP investigators are working with the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether any charges will be filed in connection with the crash.
A nonprofit organization, Kids and Car Safety, noted that children age five and under face the greatest risk of being backed over, and that in most cases the driver is a parent, relative, or trusted caregiver. The investigation remains ongoing.
Sonoma County RV Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law follows the principle of comparative negligence. This means that even where a driver did not act with intent to harm, their surviving family members may still pursue compensation if negligence, such as a failure to confirm the vehicle’s gear before moving or improper backup safety measures, contributed to the fatal accident. Investigators with California law enforcement and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office examine the circumstances of the crash to determine what role driver conduct may have played.
Regardless of the findings, the family of the deceased may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can provide the family with compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the fatal accident. Even when the at-fault party is someone who knew the victim personally, surviving family members may need to pursue a wrongful death claim to receive fair compensation from their insurance provider.
Sonoma County Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, at Salt Point State Park, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
