Tragic Death of Carmen Nava in Salinas Collision

UPDATE: Carmen Nava, 65, Tragically Killed in Pedestrian Collision at Main Street and Hardin Parkway in Salinas

Overview

A tragic pedestrian collision in Salinas on Sunday evening, December 7, 2025, claimed the life of 65-year-old Carmen Nava. According to initial statements from authorities, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Hardin Parkway. Ms. Nava was reportedly crossing the roadway when she was struck by a vehicle proceeding through the intersection. Witness accounts indicated she had been running just before impact, and the force of the collision propelled her a significant distance. Bystanders and responding officers initiated CPR at the scene, and Ms. Nava was transported to a nearby hospital. She later succumbed to her injuries. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

Ms. Nava was identified by the Monterey County Coroner’s Office. She devoted decades of service to the Salinas community through her work at Washington Middle School, where she worked on the campus safety team and recently served as a Safety and Security Officer. District staff noted that she had planned to retire in December, making this loss deeply felt by colleagues, students, and neighbors. The collision remains under investigation, and no final determination regarding fault has been announced.

What Investigators Typically Examine in a Pedestrian Collision

While each case is unique, investigators generally review a range of factors to determine how and why a collision occurred:

- Visibility and lighting conditions: December evenings can involve low light, glare from oncoming headlights, and reduced visibility due to dusk, weather, or roadway lighting.
- Traffic controls: Whether crosswalks were marked or unmarked, signal phases and timing, pedestrian countdown signals, and whether either party may have failed to yield.
- Vehicle speed and driver behavior: Potential speeding, distraction, impairment, fatigue, and whether the driver maintained a proper lookout.
- Pedestrian actions: Whether the pedestrian was within a crosswalk, crossing against a light, or outside of an intersection; pedestrians still retain legal protections even when crossing mid-block, though liability may be apportioned.
- Roadway design: Lane configuration, sight lines, signage, signal timing, lighting infrastructure, and whether the intersection has a history of collisions.
- Physical and digital evidence: Skid marks, vehicle damage, electronic data recorders (EDRs), dashcam footage, surveillance from nearby homes or businesses, and 911 audio.

Understanding Duty of Care in California

California law imposes a duty of care on drivers to operate vehicles safely and to watch for pedestrians. This includes slowing down in areas with high foot traffic, yielding when required, and exercising caution in low-light conditions. Pedestrians also have duties, such as obeying signals and not stepping into the path of a vehicle when it is too close to stop safely. However, motorists are never fully absolved of their obligation to take reasonable steps to avoid a collision.

Comparative Fault and Partial Liability

California follows a pure comparative negligence standard. If multiple parties share responsibility for a collision, each may be held financially accountable in proportion to their percentage of fault. In pedestrian cases, this can mean that:
- A driver may be primarily at fault for speeding or failing to yield, while
- A pedestrian may share a portion of fault for crossing against a signal or outside a crosswalk.

Even if partial fault is assigned to a pedestrian, families may still pursue compensation for a wrongful death claim, reduced by the percentage of assigned fault. An experienced attorney can help analyze evidence to ensure liability is fairly determined.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Pedestrian Crash

When a loved one is killed in a traffic collision, California’s wrongful death laws allow certain family members—typically a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, or, in some cases, other dependents—to seek compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support the decedent would have provided
- Loss of love, companionship, care, and guidance
- The value of household services the decedent performed

Families may also pursue a “survival action,” which seeks damages the decedent could have recovered if they had lived (such as medical expenses incurred before death and, in limited circumstances, punitive damages). The wrongful death statute of limitations in California is generally two years from the date of death. If a government entity may be involved (for example, in claims related to dangerous roadway design or inadequate lighting), a government claim typically must be filed within six months. Deadlines are strict, making early consultation critical.

Ms. Nava’s passing is a profound loss for her family, her colleagues at Washington Middle School, and the broader Salinas community she served for decades. As investigators continue to examine lighting conditions, driver behavior, and pedestrian movements at the time of the crash, her loved ones are left grieving a dedicated public servant whose retirement was only weeks away.

At Avian Law Group, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Ms. Nava’s family, friends, and the students whose lives she touched. When a tragedy of this magnitude occurs, families often face overwhelming questions about what happened and how to move forward. Our team is here to offer compassionate guidance, help preserve essential evidence, and pursue the justice and accountability your family deserves. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation.