Santa Rosa Hit-and-Run Critically Injures Pedestrian

Santa Rosa Crosswalk Hit-and-Run Leaves Pedestrian Critically Injured on December 31, 2025

Overview of the Incident

A pedestrian in his 70s was critically injured after being struck by a pickup truck while using a marked crosswalk at Morgan Street and College Avenue in Santa Rosa on Wednesday evening, December 31, 2025. According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, officers responded at approximately 7:13 p.m. and found the man unresponsive in the roadway. He was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

Investigators reported that the pedestrian was crossing College Avenue in the eastern crosswalk when he was hit by a blue 2019 Toyota Tacoma traveling at an estimated 35 miles per hour. Police stated that the driver left the scene but later contacted dispatch roughly 24 minutes after the collision. The driver, identified by authorities as Brigido V., 31, of Greenfield, was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing serious bodily injury. At this time, investigators have indicated there is no evidence that alcohol was a factor. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Understanding Hit-and-Run Charges and Civil Liability in California

California law requires drivers involved in collisions causing injury or death to stop at the scene, provide identifying information, and render reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene where someone is injured can lead to felony hit-and-run charges under California Vehicle Code. While criminal charges focus on accountability to the state, injured victims and their families may also have civil claims for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Key points to consider:
- Criminal vs. civil proceedings: A criminal case addresses whether a law was broken. A separate civil claim seeks financial recovery for the harmed person. These processes can run concurrently and are independent of each other.
- Fault and causation: Even when a driver returns to the scene or calls dispatch after leaving, initial departure can still constitute a hit-and-run. However, civil fault still requires proof that the driver’s negligence caused the injuries.
- Punitive damages: In certain egregious circumstances, punitive damages may be available in civil cases to punish and deter particularly dangerous conduct, including some hit-and-run scenarios.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way and Crosswalk Safety

California law provides strong protections for pedestrians in crosswalks—both marked and unmarked—requiring drivers to yield and exercise due care. At signaled intersections, pedestrians must obey traffic control signals, and drivers must use caution when turning or proceeding through intersections where pedestrians may be present. Visibility, lighting, speed, and driver attention are often central issues in crosswalk collisions. When a crash occurs at an established crosswalk, investigators typically examine:
- Signal timing and traffic controls
- Street lighting and sight lines
- Driver speed and stopping distance
- Vehicle damage patterns
- Eyewitness statements and any available video

Investigative Process and Evidence Considerations

Law enforcement generally documents the scene through measurements, photographs, and interviews. In serious injury cases, crash reconstruction may be performed to estimate speed, impact angles, and stopping distances. Additional evidence that can be critical in a civil claim includes:
- Surveillance or dash-camera footage from nearby homes, businesses, or vehicles
- 911 audio and dispatch records
- Data from the vehicle’s event data recorder (EDR), if available
- Medical records establishing the extent and trajectory of injuries
- Cell phone records in distracted driving investigations, if relevant

This frightening hit-and-run in Santa Rosa has left a pedestrian fighting for his life and a community shaken. Crosswalks exist to protect people walking, and when a driver fails to stop and render aid, the consequences can be devastating.

At Avian Law Group, our thoughts are with the injured pedestrian and his loved ones. Even when criminal charges are pending, victims may have important civil rights to seek compensation for medical care, long-term rehabilitation, and the profound impact of serious injuries. Our team is here to provide compassionate guidance, protect your rights, and help you navigate the path forward. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation.