Pedestrian Fatality in Fresno Collision

Pedestrian Killed in Early-Morning Collision Near West Shaw and Marks in Fresno

Overview

A tragic pedestrian collision in Fresno claimed a life in the early hours of Monday, December 29, 2025. According to local reports, the incident occurred around 5:00 a.m. near West Shaw Avenue and Marks Avenue, in the vicinity of a shopping center. Investigators believe the pedestrian was struck by at least two vehicles. Despite immediate aid from responding officers, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Both drivers remained and cooperated with authorities, and no driver injuries or arrests were reported at the time of the initial release. West Shaw Avenue was closed for several hours while the Fresno Police Department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit documented evidence and analyzed roadway conditions.

What Authorities Typically Examine in a Pedestrian Fatality Investigation

In collisions involving pedestrians and multiple vehicles, law enforcement and reconstruction experts routinely assess a range of factors to determine how the crash unfolded and whether any party bears legal responsibility. Key elements often include:
- Visibility and lighting: Street lighting, weather, and time of day can affect driver visibility. Investigators may assess whether lighting near the shopping center and along the roadway was adequate.
- Speed and stopping distance: Officers often evaluate posted limits, actual speed, braking evidence, and skid marks to determine whether drivers had time to react.
- Right-of-way and crosswalks: The location of crosswalks, signal timing, and whether the pedestrian was within a marked or unmarked crosswalk are crucial in determining right-of-way.
- Driver attention and impairment: Cell phone use, distraction, and potential impairment are common areas of inquiry, sometimes supported by vehicle event data, phone records, and toxicology tests.
- Vehicle movement and lane position: The reconstruction process may map vehicle paths, impact points, and final rest locations to understand sequence and causation.
- Third-party or environmental contributions: Investigators sometimes consider whether roadway design, signage, obstructions, or nearby property conditions (e.g., inadequate lighting or landscaping that obstructs views) contributed to risk.

Multi-vehicle pedestrian fatalities often depend on time-sensitive evidence—lighting conditions, surveillance footage, vehicle data, and witness statements—that can be lost if not preserved promptly. Early action can be critical to ensuring a complete and accurate reconstruction of events.

Avian Law Group is experienced in coordinating independent investigations and working with accident-reconstruction and human-factors experts. If your family is seeking answers or considering legal action after this West Shaw and Marks collision, contact us today for a free consultation so we can begin protecting your rights immediately.