Fatal Hit-and-Run on Bardsley Avenue in Tulare

Fatal Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Collision on Bardsley Avenue in Tulare

Tragic Monday Morning Loss; Police Investigation Ongoing

A tragic hit-and-run pedestrian collision claimed the life of a man in Tulare on Monday morning, November 24, 2025. According to preliminary information reported by Tulare Police, the incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. near the intersection of Bardsley Avenue and Oakmore Street. Responding officers located an adult Hispanic male lying in the roadway with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Despite immediate response, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver reportedly fled before authorities arrived, and the investigation remains active.

Avian Law Group extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. Losing someone without warning is devastating, and when the at-fault motorist leaves the scene, the grief is compounded by anger and unanswered questions. While law enforcement continues to gather evidence and search for the driver, families may have urgent, practical questions about their legal rights and how to protect them in the days and weeks ahead.

What We Know So Far

- Time and location: Approximately 7:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Bardsley Avenue and Oakmore Street in Tulare, California.
- Parties involved: One male pedestrian, pronounced deceased at the scene. No other injured parties were reported on scene.
- Driver status: The vehicle believed to be involved left the area. Police have not yet announced an arrest or identification of the driver.
- Investigation: Tulare Police are handling the case and continue to seek information to locate the responsible party.

How Hit-and-Run Cases Are Investigated

Hit-and-run investigations typically move on several parallel tracks. In many cases, even when a driver initially escapes, they are later identified through a combination of the following:

- Nearby surveillance: Doorbell cameras, business security systems, school or city cameras, and dashcams can reveal vehicle make, model, direction of travel, and distinguishing markings or damage.
- Physical evidence: Debris such as headlight fragments, paint transfer, and plastic trim pieces can be matched to specific vehicle years and models.
- Witness statements: Early canvassing of neighbors, commuters, and nearby businesses often yields critical details about the vehicle’s color, damage location, or partial plate numbers.
- Technology and analytics: Automated license plate readers (ALPR), traffic sensors, and technology-assisted crash reconstruction can narrow down likely suspects.
- Body shops and parts orders: Law enforcement sometimes contacts collision repair shops and parts suppliers for recent orders that match the expected damage profile.

California Law and Hit-and-Run Liability

Under California Vehicle Code section 20001, drivers involved in collisions causing injury or death must immediately stop, render aid, and exchange information. Leaving the scene of a fatal collision is a felony offense. In civil cases, fleeing the scene can support claims of negligence and, in certain circumstances, may justify punitive damages for egregious misconduct.

Civil claims are separate from criminal proceedings. Even if police do not immediately locate the driver, families can pursue civil avenues to recover financial support and accountability for the loss.

Legal Options for Families After a Fatal Pedestrian Collision

When a loved one is killed by a negligent driver, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim and, in some circumstances, a survival action. Potential compensation may include:

- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical expenses incurred before passing
- Loss of the decedent’s financial support and household services
- Loss of love, companionship, care, comfort, and guidance
- Punitive damages in limited cases involving extreme misconduct

If the driver is not immediately found, families still have options:

- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: Many auto insurance policies provide UM benefits that protect pedestrians and bicyclists struck by hit-and-run drivers. These claims may be available through the decedent’s own policy or a resident family member’s policy.
- Crime victim compensation: Eligible families may seek limited financial assistance from state victim compensation programs for certain out-of-pocket costs, even while the investigation is ongoing.
- Public entity liability: If roadway design, deficient lighting, missing signage, or hazardous crosswalk conditions contributed to the collision, there may be a claim against a public entity for a dangerous condition of public property. These cases require prompt investigation and adherence to strict filing deadlines.

Key Deadlines in California

- Wrongful death statute of limitations: Generally two years from the date of death.
- Government claims: If a public entity may be liable, an administrative claim must typically be filed within six months of the incident, with additional steps required before filing suit.
- Insurance policy deadlines: UM/UIM and other insurance coverages may impose shorter contractual notice requirements. Early policy review is important to avoid losing coverage.

This heartbreaking hit-and-run on Bardsley Avenue serves as a painful reminder of how devastating—and senseless—these incidents can be. A family has lost a loved one without warning, and the responsible driver chose to flee rather than stop and help. While Tulare Police continue their active search for the motorist and work to piece together what happened, the victim’s family now faces the difficult task of grieving while also trying to understand their legal rights and next steps.

Hit-and-run cases demand a thorough and immediate investigation, and even when a driver is not identified right away, families are not without recourse. California law provides several avenues for accountability, including wrongful death claims, uninsured motorist benefits, and—in some cases—claims involving dangerous roadway conditions. Prompt action is crucial, as evidence can fade quickly and certain deadlines, especially those involving public entities or insurance policies, can arrive sooner than families expect.

At Avian Law Group, we are committed to supporting families through these tragic and complex situations with compassion, urgency, and unwavering advocacy. Our team works diligently to preserve evidence, coordinate with investigators, explore all available insurance coverages, and pursue every avenue of justice for those left behind.

If your loved one has been the victim of a fatal hit-and-run, you do not have to navigate this painful process alone. We are here to help you seek answers, accountability, and the support your family needs during this incredibly difficult time.