95-Year-Old Woman Critically Injured in Berkeley Crash

North Berkeley Crosswalk Collision Critically Injures 95-Year-Old Woman

A 95-year-old woman was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk at Walnut Street and Cedar Street in North Berkeley on Monday evening, December 29, 2025. According to authorities, the crash occurred just before 5:15 p.m. as the woman was walking in the marked crosswalk on the west side of the intersection. Police reported that a northbound driver in his 30s struck the pedestrian while making a left turn from Walnut onto Cedar. The woman was initially knocked unconscious but regained consciousness prior to transport; Berkeley Fire personnel took her to Highland Hospital for further treatment. She was listed in critical but stable condition. The driver remained at the scene and, based on preliminary information, impairment did not appear to be a factor. The investigation remains ongoing.

What We Know So Far

- Location: Walnut Street at Cedar Street, North Berkeley
- Date and time: Monday, December 29, 2025, just before 5:15 p.m.
- Parties: 95-year-old pedestrian; male driver in his 30s, northbound on Walnut turning left onto Cedar
- Condition: Pedestrian transported with critical injuries; listed as critical but stable
- Driver status: Remained at scene; no initial indication of impairment
- Investigation: Ongoing; formal findings pending

Pedestrian Right-of-Way and Left-Turn Dynamics in California

Left-turn collisions in crosswalks are a persistent safety challenge. Under California law, motorists making a left turn must yield to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk. Even when a driver has a green light, the duty to yield remains if a pedestrian is already in the crosswalk. This obligation is especially important at dusk and in early evening hours when visibility is reduced, as was likely the case around 5:15 p.m. in late December. Drivers turning left often focus on gaps in oncoming traffic and may fail to scan thoroughly for pedestrians entering or already within the crosswalk. Low-angle winter sun, headlight glare, inclement weather, and darker clothing can compound visibility issues. That is why safe turning practices—complete stops, slower entry into the turn, and an extra scan for pedestrians—are critical.

Common Factors in Evening Crosswalk Crashes

While the official cause of this collision has not been determined, research highlights several recurring themes in evening and winter crosswalk crashes:

- Reduced visibility: Short winter days and early sunsets increase nighttime or low-light travel, limiting sight distance.
- Glare and weather: Rain, wet pavement, windshield fogging, and headlight or sun glare can make it harder to judge distance and movement.
- Speed and gap selection: Even modest speeds during a turn can create serious impact forces; misjudging a safe turn gap may divert attention from pedestrian scanning.
- Crosswalk design: Markings, lighting, signage, and signal timing can influence detection and yielding behavior.
- Senior vulnerability: Older adults face higher risks of serious injury due to increased frailty, reduced reaction time, and the potential for secondary complications.

This devastating crosswalk collision in North Berkeley has left an elderly pedestrian critically injured and serves as a sobering reminder of how vulnerable people on foot—especially seniors—are at busy intersections.

At Avian Law Group, our thoughts are with the injured woman and her loved ones. When a pedestrian is struck while lawfully crossing in a marked crosswalk, families may have important legal rights to pursue compensation for medical care, rehabilitation, and long-term needs. Our team is here to provide compassionate guidance and help protect those rights as the investigation continues. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation.