Pedestrian Death in Norco Collision Under Investigation

Fatal Pedestrian Collision Near Hamner Avenue and Citrus Street in Norco Under Investigation

Incident Overview

A tragic pedestrian collision occurred near Hamner Avenue and Citrus Street in Norco on Friday night, November 28, 2025. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded at approximately 9:24 p.m. to reports of a major injury crash involving two vehicles and a pedestrian. When deputies arrived, they located an individual in the roadway with significant injuries. Despite immediate medical aid at the scene, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased.

Authorities reported that both involved drivers remained at the location and cooperated with investigators. It was not immediately known whether alcohol or drugs were contributing factors. The identity of the pedestrian has been withheld pending notification of next of kin. The official cause of the crash remains under investigation.

What We Know So Far

- Time and place: Approximately 9:24 p.m., near Hamner Avenue and Citrus Street in Norco
- Parties involved: A pedestrian and two vehicles
- Response: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded; medical aid was provided at the scene
- Status of drivers: Both drivers stayed and cooperated with the investigation
- Impairment: Not immediately determined; toxicology inquiries typically follow standard investigative procedures
- Victim identification: Withheld pending next-of-kin notification
- Investigation: Ongoing, with roadway conditions, lighting, vehicle speeds, and other factors under review

Context: Pedestrian Safety and Crash Trends

Pedestrian safety remains a critical public concern across California and the nation. Thousands of pedestrians are killed each year, and many more sustain serious injuries. National data indicate that in 2022 more than 8,000 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic incidents, with emergency departments treating an estimated 140,000 pedestrians for non-fatal injuries. Approximately one in five traffic fatalities involved someone on foot, underscoring the vulnerability pedestrians face when sharing the road with larger, heavier vehicles.

Evening and nighttime hours present heightened risks due to reduced visibility. Intersections with multiple lanes, high posted speed limits, and mixed traffic movements (turning, merging, or lane changes) are frequently associated with severe outcomes. Investigations of crashes like the one in Norco commonly assess the role of visibility, driver attentiveness, speed, signal timing, lighting, and the presence of marked crosswalks.

Factors Investigators Commonly Review in Two-Vehicle Pedestrian Collisions

Crashes involving two vehicles and a pedestrian often require detailed reconstruction to understand the sequence of events. Investigators may examine:

- Visibility and lighting: Whether streetlights were functioning, ambient lighting conditions, and whether vehicles had headlights properly illuminated
- Crosswalks and signals: Presence of marked crosswalks, pedestrian signals, timing of traffic lights, and whether anyone entered on a “walk” versus “don’t walk” signal
- Vehicle speed and braking: Skid marks, event data recorder (EDR) downloads, and stopping distances
- Driver behavior: Distraction, impairment, fatigue, or failure to yield
- Roadway design and conditions: Lane configuration, signage, sightlines, construction zones, and potential hazards such as debris or obstructions
- Weather and environment: Rain, glare, or other environmental factors that may have affected visibility or traction
- Secondary impacts: In multi-vehicle events, whether one vehicle struck the pedestrian first and a second vehicle contributed to the severity
- Surveillance and witness accounts: Dashcams, nearby business or traffic cameras, and independent witness statements for timeline validation

Your Rights After a Fatal Pedestrian Crash in California

When a pedestrian tragedy occurs, families may have important legal rights and potential claims, including:

- Wrongful death claims: Brought by eligible heirs to seek compensation for loss of companionship, support, and other harms
- Survival actions: Claims that may be brought by the decedent’s estate for damages the person suffered before passing
- Economic damages: Medical expenses incurred prior to death, funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and loss of household services
- Non-economic damages: Loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support

California follows a comparative negligence system, meaning fault can be apportioned among multiple parties, including two or more drivers, and in some cases a public entity if a dangerous roadway condition is shown. Even if a pedestrian or one driver is found partially at fault, recovery may still be possible, reduced by the percentage of fault assigned.

Important Time Limits and Special Considerations

- Statute of limitations: In many wrongful death and personal injury matters, the general statute of limitations in California is two years from the date of the incident. There are exceptions and shorter deadlines may apply.
- Claims involving public entities: If a claim involves a city, county, or other public agency (for example, due to alleged dangerous roadway conditions or signal timing), a government claim typically must be filed within six months of the incident. Missing this deadline can bar recovery.
- Insurance issues: Multiple insurance policies may be involved, including liability coverage for each driver, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) benefits, medical payments coverage (MedPay), and, in some instances, homeowner or umbrella policies. Coordinating these coverages can be complex in multi-vehicle incidents.
- Evidence preservation: Prompt action to secure surveillance footage, obtain EDR data, document the scene, and collect witness statements can be critical. Some data, like video or EDR information, can be lost over time.

Fatal pedestrian crashes involving multiple vehicles often require extensive reconstruction, careful review of roadway conditions, and timely evidence preservation. While the investigation into Friday night’s collision continues, families may be facing immediate decisions about insurance, expenses, and potential legal claims.

Avian Law Group has extensive experience representing families in wrongful death matters across California, including cases with complex liability issues, public-entity involvement, or multiple drivers. If you have lost a loved one in a similar crash, reach out for a no-obligation case evaluation so we can help protect your rights and pursue accountability.