Tragic Collision Claims Life of Salinas Wheelchair User

Salinas Wheelchair User Killed in South Main Street Collision: What Families Should Know About Their Rights After a Fatal Pedestrian Crash

Salinas, CA — A 63-year-old Salinas resident, identified by authorities as Shawn Allen, tragically lost his life on Sunday evening, December 28, 2025, after being struck by a vehicle near South Main Street and Winham Street. The crash occurred just before 8:00 PM in the vicinity of a Wells Fargo branch. Police reported that Mr. Allen was using a wheelchair at the time. Emergency responders pronounced him deceased at the scene.

According to initial statements, the driver involved remained at the site and cooperated with responding officers. No arrests were immediately announced, and the investigation remains active. Salinas police noted this incident marks the city’s seventh pedestrian fatality involving a vehicle in 2025.

While the official cause of the collision has not yet been determined, investigators typically examine factors such as driver speed, distraction, impairment, lighting and visibility conditions, road design, and right-of-way issues. Because Mr. Allen was a wheelchair user, officers will also assess whether accessibility features, such as curb cuts, crosswalk visibility, timing of pedestrian signals, and lighting, played any role.

What We Know and What Investigators Typically Evaluate

- Time and visibility: The crash occurred after dark, a period when visibility is reduced and glare can be a factor. Investigators may evaluate roadway lighting, weather, and sightlines.
- Right-of-way and crossing dynamics: Authorities assess whether the collision happened within a marked or unmarked crosswalk, at an intersection, or mid-block. In California, a person using a wheelchair is treated as a pedestrian under the law, and drivers must exercise due care to safeguard pedestrians, especially at intersections and crosswalks.
- Driver behavior: Police will consider potential distraction (including mobile phone use), impairment by alcohol or drugs, speeding, and failure to yield. Officers may request or review toxicology tests and cellular records in some cases.
- Vehicle evidence: Investigators often examine vehicle damage, event data recorders (black box data), and any advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) logs that may capture speed, braking, and steering inputs.
- Scene evidence: Skid marks, debris fields, road conditions, traffic signal timing, and video from nearby businesses or homes can provide critical insight into what happened.

Legal Rights of Families After a Fatal Pedestrian Crash

When a family loses a loved one in a pedestrian collision, California law provides avenues to seek accountability and compensation through a wrongful death claim and, in many cases, a survival action. While no legal action can undo such a profound loss, these claims can help families manage the financial consequences and pursue justice.

- Wrongful death claim: Eligible family members may seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of household services, and the loss of love, companionship, care, assistance, and guidance the decedent would have provided.
- Survival action: The decedent’s estate may pursue claims the person could have brought if they had survived, such as medical expenses incurred before death, lost wages between injury and death, and property damage. Depending on timing and circumstances, recovery may also include the decedent’s pre-death pain and suffering; speak with an attorney about the current state of the law and applicable filing deadlines.
- Statutes of limitation: In California, most wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. If a government entity may be responsible (for example, a dangerous condition of public property such as inadequate lighting, defective crosswalk design, or malfunctioning signals), a government claim typically must be filed within six months. Missing these deadlines can jeopardize your case.

This tragic collision on South Main Street claimed the life of a Salinas resident who relied on a wheelchair for mobility and underscores the heightened risks vulnerable pedestrians face on busy roadways—especially after dark.

At Avian Law Group, our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Allen. When a pedestrian is killed, families may have important legal rights to pursue answers, accountability, and financial support through a wrongful death claim. Our team is here to provide compassionate guidance, carefully review the investigation, and help families navigate the difficult road ahead. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation.