Passenger Injured in Uber Hit-and-Run; DUI Arrested

Passenger Airlifted After Hit-and-Run Crash Involving Uber in Oceanside; DUI Suspect Arrested

Oceanside, CA — A late-night hit-and-run collision on Thursday, January 1, 2026, left a rideshare passenger injured near El Camino Real and Mesa Drive by Canyon Creek in Oceanside. According to initial reports from the Oceanside Police Department and Oceanside Fire Department, the crash occurred just before midnight and involved two vehicles, one of which was an Uber transporting a passenger.

Responding crews arrived to find the Uber—a Toyota Prius—with significant front-end damage after being pushed against a guardrail near the creek. The Uber driver was able to exit the vehicle and was treated at the scene for minor injuries. A female passenger seated in the rear was trapped inside with head injuries. Firefighters extricated her from the vehicle, and she was airlifted to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

Police stated that the driver of the other vehicle fled on foot toward a nearby apartment complex on Garrison Avenue. He was later located and taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence. The investigation remains ongoing.

What We Know About the Collision and Ongoing Investigation

- Time and location: Just before midnight near El Camino Real and Mesa Drive by Canyon Creek, Oceanside.
- Vehicles involved: A Toyota Prius operating as an Uber with a passenger onboard and a second vehicle whose driver fled the scene.
- Injuries: Uber driver treated for minor injuries; rear-seat passenger extricated and airlifted with non-life-threatening head injuries.
- Hit-and-run and DUI suspicion: The other driver allegedly fled and was later arrested on suspicion of DUI. Final determinations will depend on investigative findings, including toxicology, witness statements, and crash reconstruction.

Understanding DUI and Rideshare Collisions in California

When a suspected impaired driver causes a crash—particularly a hit-and-run—several legal and insurance issues arise at once. In California, leaving the scene of an injury crash and driving under the influence are serious offenses that trigger parallel criminal and civil processes. While law enforcement addresses potential criminal charges, injured passengers and drivers pursue civil claims focused on medical costs, lost income, and other damages.

Passengers are rarely at fault for a collision, but liability may be shared among multiple parties, including the impaired driver and any other negligent motorists. Even in hit-and-run events, there are avenues for recovery, including uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.

Rideshare Insurance Coverage: How It Typically Applies

When a passenger is in the vehicle, rideshare companies generally provide robust insurance coverage, which often includes:
- Third-party liability coverage (commonly up to $1,000,000) for injuries and property damage caused to others.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which may apply if the at-fault driver flees or lacks adequate insurance.
- Contingent medical payments coverage in certain circumstances.

Coverage can depend on the status of the ride within the app (accepted trip, en route, or transporting a passenger). As a rear-seat passenger, the injured individual may have access to multiple potential sources of coverage, including:
- The rideshare company’s policy for the active trip.
- The at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
- The passenger’s own health insurance.
- UM/UIM coverage if the other driver is uninsured, underinsured, or not identified

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After a crash like this, injured passengers are often overwhelmed—coping with medical recovery while trying to understand insurance, investigations, and next steps.

At Avian Law Group, we guide injured rideshare passengers through the claims process with care, transparency, and respect. If you need help after this Oceanside Uber crash, our team is here to support you every step of the way.