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ARCADIA, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 17, 2026 — A pedestrian died early on Thursday, September 17, after being struck by a vehicle on the eastbound Foothill (210) Freeway in Arcadia, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash happened around 12:53 a.m. just west of Fifth Avenue, authorities said. A vehicle struck the pedestrian, who died at the scene, according to the CHP.
The driver stayed at the scene after the collision, authorities said. Video from the area reportedly showed a damaged vehicle that had been driven to a nearby gas station following the crash, as well as CHP officers responding to the freeway.
The CHP issued a SigAlert and diverted eastbound traffic off the freeway at Huntington Dr. for about three hours while crews worked the scene. All eastbound lanes just west of Fifth Avenue reopened around 4:40 a.m., authorities said.
The victim's identity has not been released. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and further details were not immediately available.
Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life.
How Investigators Piece Together a Fatal Pedestrian Crash
When a pedestrian is killed on a freeway, officers first have to secure the scene and manage traffic before any reconstruction work can begin. That often means closing lanes for hours, as happened here, so investigators can measure skid marks, document vehicle damage, and map where the pedestrian was struck.
Names are typically withheld until the coroner's office confirms identity and has notified next of kin, a process that can take days. Toxicology results, when relevant, often take several weeks to come back from a lab, and a full CHP or police report may not be finalized until that data and witness statements are all in hand.
This waiting period is standard, not a sign that nothing is happening. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrian fatalities decreased from 1,213 in 2022 to 1,106 in 2023, a reminder that these investigations feed into broader tracking of road safety trends across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen?
Many occur on or near major roads and freeways, particularly where pedestrians cross outside marked crosswalks or where lighting is limited.
Are pedestrian accidents more common at night?
Yes. Reduced visibility after dark makes it harder for drivers to see people on or near the roadway, and a large share of fatal pedestrian crashes happen at night.
What should a pedestrian do after being hit by a car?
If possible, move to safety, call 911, and seek medical evaluation, even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms may not appear immediately. Get the names of any witnesses and, if able, take photos of the scene.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, but drivers and pedestrians both share responsibility for watching for each other, especially at night or on high-speed roads like freeways.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Arcadia, CA
Anyone who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 right away and avoid moving an injured person unless they're in immediate danger. If you were involved, even peripherally, cooperate with responding officers and provide a clear account of what you saw.
Seek medical care promptly, even for what seem like minor injuries. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries from being struck by a vehicle take hours or days to show symptoms.
Keep any documentation from the scene, including photos, contact information for witnesses, and copies of the police report once it becomes available. This can help family members and officials piece together what happened in the days that follow.
