Hit-and-Run Tragedy: Pedestrian Killed in Antioch

Pedestrian Fatally Struck in Hit-and-Run at Marie Avenue and East 18th Street in Antioch

Tragedy struck in Antioch on Thursday evening, November 13, 2025, when a 60-year-old woman was killed in a hit-and-run collision at the intersection of Marie Avenue and East 18th Street. According to local reports and the Antioch Police Department, the crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. Officers arrived to find the victim in the roadway with critical injuries and provided immediate aid until emergency medical personnel took over. Despite their efforts, the woman was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver fled after the impact and did not remain at the scene.

As of this writing, authorities have not released the victim’s identity, pending notification of her family. Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information or surveillance footage from the area to come forward to help identify the vehicle and driver involved.

Understanding the Risks: Evening Pedestrian Collisions

Pedestrian collisions in the early evening are tragically common, particularly during fall and winter months when daylight fades earlier. Around 6:30 p.m. at this time of year, visibility can be limited due to darkness, headlight glare, wet pavement from seasonal weather, and increased rush-hour traffic. These conditions demand heightened attention from drivers and pedestrians alike. While environmental factors can contribute, California law requires drivers to exercise due care for pedestrians at all times, slow down at intersections, and stop after a collision. Leaving the scene of an accident that results in injury or death is a felony under California Vehicle Code.

What We Know About the Investigation

- Location: Marie Avenue and East 18th Street, Antioch
- Time: Approximately 6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 13, 2025
- Incident: Pedestrian struck; driver left the scene
- Status: Victim deceased at the scene; identity pending notification of next of kin
- Police Action: Ongoing investigation; request for witnesses and video evidence

In cases like this, investigators typically review nearby traffic cameras, business and residential security footage, and vehicle debris left at the scene (such as broken mirror caps, headlight fragments, or paint transfers) to narrow down the make and model of the vehicle. Witness statements, license plate reader data, and canvassing auto body shops for sudden repairs can also be critical.

Hit-and-Run and Wrongful Death Claims in California

When a loved one is lost due to someone else’s negligence, the surviving family may pursue a wrongful death claim. These claims seek compensation for losses such as funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and the value of household services the deceased provided. A related “survival” action may also be available to recover certain damages the deceased could have claimed if they had survived, such as medical bills and pain and suffering in limited circumstances.

Hit-and-run cases pose unique challenges because the at-fault driver may not be immediately identifiable. However, families should know that compensation can still be available through:

- Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: If the victim or potentially a resident family member carried auto insurance with UM coverage, those benefits may apply even if the victim was a pedestrian. UM can step in when the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured.
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: If the at-fault driver is identified but lacks sufficient coverage, UIM may bridge the gap up to the policy limits.
- MedPay/Medical Payments Coverage: Some auto policies include MedPay benefits that can help with medical costs regardless of fault. While this may be more applicable in non-fatal events, it can still play a role when emergency care was provided.
- Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance: In limited scenarios, certain coverages may assist with specific losses; experienced counsel can evaluate all available policies.

Determining Liability and Preserving Evidence

Establishing liability requires careful, early evidence preservation. In a hit-and-run, key steps often include:

- Securing video: Quickly obtaining footage from nearby homes, businesses, transit agencies, and city traffic systems before it is overwritten.
- Locating witnesses: Identifying and interviewing anyone who saw the crash or noticed a vehicle fleeing the area, including rideshare or delivery drivers.
- Vehicle forensics: Analyzing debris patterns, paint transfers, and headlight fragments to narrow vehicle type and model year.
- Scene reconstruction: Using measurements, lighting analysis, and timing data to reconstruct the event.
- Phone and telematics data: Where appropriate and lawful, exploring data sources such as connected vehicle systems or mobile records.

Families should avoid making recorded statements to insurers without counsel, and refrain from posting detailed accounts on social media, which can be misconstrued. An attorney can coordinate with investigators, protect rights, and ensure that all avenues of recovery are considered.

Common Causes of Evening Pedestrian Collisions

While every crash is unique, factors frequently seen in early-evening pedestrian incidents include:

- Low visibility and inadequate scanning at intersections
- Speeding or failing to yield while turning
- Distraction, including mobile device use
- Impaired or drowsy driving
- Poorly timed signals or non-functioning crosswalk indicators
- Weather-related glare or wet pavement

California’s comparative negligence system allows recovery even if multiple factors are involved; a pedestrian’s potential share of fault, if any, reduces but does not bar recovery. Thorough investigation is crucial to determine how and why a collision occurred.

A fatal hit-and-run is one of the most painful and infuriating tragedies a family can face. Losing a loved one is devastating on its own—but losing them to a driver who fled the scene, who chose to abandon a human life instead of stopping to help, adds a level of cruelty that no family should ever be forced to endure. This heartbreaking incident in Antioch serves as a reminder of how deeply negligence and cowardice can impact an entire community.

At Avian Law Group, our hearts go out to the family grieving this senseless loss. Their suffering is immeasurable, and their questions deserve answers. When a driver causes fatal harm and then leaves the scene, they not only violate the law—they violate basic human decency. Families are left without closure, without an apology, and without accountability. We believe that is unacceptable.

Our firm remains committed to supporting victims of hit-and-run collisions, pursuing every possible avenue to uncover the truth, identify responsible parties, and ensure justice is served. Whether through civil litigation, working alongside investigators, or advocating fiercely for the victim’s family, we stand ready to act.

No family should have to navigate this alone. If you or someone you know has been affected by a hit-and-run, pedestrian crash, or any serious injury, Avian Law Group is here to help. We fight for answers, for accountability, and for the justice every victim deserves.