Modesto Hit-and-Run: Pedestrian Injured, Investigation Ongoing

Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Crash With Injuries at Nunes Road and Golden State Boulevard in Modesto

Friday Evening Collision Under Investigation by CHP; Victim Transported to Hospital


What We Know About the Incident

On Friday, January 2, 2025, a pedestrian was struck in a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Nunes Road and Golden State Boulevard in Modesto. According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred at approximately 5:34 p.m. The pedestrian was in the area when they were hit by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene immediately after the impact.

Emergency responders arrived and transported the injured pedestrian to a local hospital for treatment. As of this writing, the person’s condition has not been publicly disclosed. Authorities have not released information about the vehicle or whether a suspect has been identified. The investigation into the cause and circumstances of the crash remains ongoing.

Early evening hours—especially during winter months—can create challenging visibility conditions for both pedestrians and drivers. Intersections that border high-traffic thoroughfares such as Golden State Boulevard often see increased volumes at commute times, raising the risk of severe injury when drivers fail to yield or maintain proper lookout. While the specific factors in this crash have not yet been confirmed, common contributors to pedestrian collisions include speeding, distraction, low light, and driver failure to yield at crosswalks and intersections.


Why Hit-and-Run Crashes Are Especially Dangerous

Hit-and-run collisions sharply increase the risk of severe outcomes because seconds matter after an injury. When a driver leaves the scene instead of calling 911 and rendering aid, the injured person may experience delayed medical care. This can worsen blood loss, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious harms. In addition, fleeing drivers often deny victims and their families critical information needed to pursue insurance claims, such as the driver’s identity and policy details.

From a public safety perspective, holding hit-and-run drivers accountable is essential to deterrence. Investigators frequently seek help from community members who may have witnessed the collision or recorded useful details on dash cameras, home security cameras, or business surveillance systems near the intersection.


California Law: Duties After a Collision

Under California law, any driver involved in a collision has strict duties, particularly when someone is injured:

- Stop immediately at or near the scene.
- Provide reasonable assistance, including calling emergency services.
- Exchange identifying and insurance information.
- Cooperate with law enforcement.

Leaving the scene of a crash involving injury is a felony offense. These laws exist to protect the public and to ensure that injured people receive prompt medical care and the information necessary to pursue claims. While fault for a collision is determined through investigation, the duty to remain and render aid applies regardless of who caused the crash.


Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Incident

If you or a loved one is involved in a hit-and-run, taking the right steps can protect health, safety, and legal rights:

- Seek medical care immediately. Even injuries that seem minor can mask internal trauma or head injuries that need prompt evaluation.
- Call 911 and report the incident. Obtain the incident or report number when possible.
- Preserve evidence. Photograph the scene, injuries, any vehicle parts or debris, skid marks, damaged property, and the surrounding area, including traffic controls and lighting.
- Identify witnesses. Gather names, phone numbers, and any details about the vehicle’s make, model, color, direction of travel, or partial license plate numbers.
- Check for video. Ask nearby homes and businesses for security footage and review dashcam recordings if available. Video often overwrites quickly, so time is critical.
- Keep records. Maintain copies of medical records, bills, discharge summaries, prescriptions, and time missed from work.
- Notify your insurers. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage under your own auto policy may apply even when you were a pedestrian, and Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage can help with out-of-pocket medical costs.
- Consider victim compensation resources. The California Victim Compensation Board may assist eligible victims of violent crimes, which can include hit-and-run incidents, with certain expenses.
- Consult a knowledgeable attorney. An experienced pedestrian injury lawyer can help coordinate insurance coverage, preserve evidence, and protect your claim.

Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes raise complex legal issues involving fault, insurance coverage, and evidence preservation. As CHP continues investigating the collision at Nunes Road and Golden State Boulevard, injured victims may need clarity about personal injury claims, uninsured motorist benefits, and available compensation.

Avian Law Group has experience handling hit-and-run pedestrian injury cases throughout Stanislaus County. If you or a loved one was injured in this incident, our attorneys can help evaluate coverage, coordinate with insurers, and pursue full and fair compensation. Contact us for a no-obligation case evaluation.