Hit-and-Run Tragedy Claims Life in Tulare

Fatal Hit-and-Run on Bardsley Avenue in Tulare: Family Mourns After Early-Morning Pedestrian Tragedy

Overview of the Incident

A devastating hit-and-run pedestrian collision claimed the life of a man in Tulare on Monday morning, November 24, 2025. According to Tulare Police, officers responded around 7:00 a.m. to the intersection of Bardsley Avenue and Oakmore Street, where they discovered an adult Hispanic male lying in the roadway with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. The driver did not remain at the scene. Despite immediate response, the victim was pronounced deceased at the location. No other injuries were reported.

Police have not yet confirmed whether a suspect vehicle or driver has been identified. The investigation remains active, and authorities may be reviewing nearby surveillance footage, seeking eyewitness accounts, and analyzing vehicle debris recovered at the scene to locate the motorist responsible.

This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities pedestrians face and the devastating impact hit-and-run collisions have on families and communities. Avian Law Group extends our deepest sympathies to the victim’s loved ones and stands ready to support families navigating the aftermath of a fatal crash.

What We Know So Far

- Location: Bardsley Avenue and Oakmore Street, Tulare, CA
- Time: Approximately 7:00 a.m., Monday, November 24, 2025
- Victim: Adult Hispanic male, deceased at the scene
- Driver: Fled the scene; investigation ongoing
- Other injuries: None reported at the scene

Early morning collisions can be influenced by a range of conditions, including sun glare near sunrise, shaded intersections, and seasonal fog in the Central Valley. While the specific cause here remains under investigation, hit-and-run crashes typically require a careful review of traffic patterns, pedestrian right-of-way, lighting conditions, speed, and driver behavior to determine liability.

California Law on Hit-and-Run and Pedestrian Safety

Under California Vehicle Code section 20001, any driver involved in a collision that results in injury or death must immediately stop, render reasonable aid, and exchange information. Failing to do so can result in felony charges, with serious criminal penalties. Separate from the criminal case, the at-fault driver (and potentially other responsible parties) can be held civilly liable for the losses suffered by the victim’s family.

California law also protects pedestrians’ right-of-way in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections, although both drivers and pedestrians share responsibilities for roadway safety. Determining fault in pedestrian crashes often involves reconstructing the scene, analyzing speed, braking, line of sight, and whether traffic controls were obeyed.

Why Hit-and-Run Cases Are Complex

Hit-and-run investigations require swift, thorough evidence gathering. When a driver flees, identifying them can hinge on:

- Surveillance: Residential doorbell cameras, business security systems, and traffic cameras along Bardsley Avenue and nearby corridors.
- Vehicle debris: Paint transfer, headlight lens fragments, bumper components, and broken mirrors can reveal make, model, and possible year range.
- Witnesses: Commuters, school traffic, nearby residents, and delivery drivers who were in the area around 7:00 a.m.
- Forensic analysis: Crash reconstruction techniques can estimate speed, vehicle direction, and point of impact.
- Community alerts: Tips from the public often play a critical role.

Even when the driver is not immediately identified, families may still have important insurance options to pursue while police continue their search.

This tragic hit-and-run on Bardsley Avenue has left a family and community grieving, searching for answers, and grappling with the reality that the driver responsible chose to flee rather than stop and help. As Tulare Police continue their investigation—reviewing surveillance footage, analyzing debris, and gathering witness statements—the victim’s loved ones face the painful uncertainty that often accompanies these cases. Hit-and-run collisions add an additional layer of heartbreak, leaving families not only mourning a loss but also waiting for justice.

Even when a driver has not yet been identified, families still have important legal rights. California’s laws provide several avenues to seek accountability and support, including wrongful death claims, uninsured motorist coverage, and, in some cases, claims related to dangerous roadway conditions. Because hit-and-run investigations rely heavily on early evidence collection, timely legal guidance can ensure that critical information is preserved and that all potential sources of recovery are explored.

At Avian Law Group, we are committed to helping families navigate the aftermath of fatal pedestrian collisions with clarity, compassion, and determination. Our attorneys work swiftly to obtain police reports, secure video evidence, coordinate with investigators, and pursue every available path to justice and financial support for surviving loved ones.

If your family has lost a loved one in a hit-and-run or pedestrian crash, you do not have to face this painful road alone. We are here to stand beside you, fight for answers, and help you move forward with the support you need and deserve.