CALEXICO, Imperial County, Calif., Sept. 23, 2026 — A hit-and-run crash left an elderly woman injured Tuesday afternoon, September 22, near the intersection of West Cole Road and Kloke Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Both vehicles involved reportedly left the roadway, with one coming to rest in a nearby field.
The California Highway Patrol said a white pickup truck towing another vehicle was southbound on Kloke Road when it was involved in a collision with a red car. Investigators said the pickup left the scene heading south on Kloke Road after the crash. What began as a hit-and-run call with no reported injuries was updated by the CHP to a collision with an ambulance requested, dispatch records show.
The red car reportedly ended up on the right-hand shoulder, and the report indicates the vehicle traveled through brush before both vehicles came to rest off the roadway. One vehicle ended up in a field, according to the dispatch log.
An off-duty responder was reportedly first on scene with the injured woman and requested paramedics as a precaution. Imperial County Sheriff's Office fire units and an ambulance crew responded, and Calexico police were asked to be on the lookout for the fleeing vehicle. The extent of the woman's injuries has not been released.
The crash remains under investigation. No arrests had been announced as of Tuesday afternoon.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
When Hit-and-Run Crashes Are Most Likely to Happen
Hit-and-run collisions tend to cluster around the same conditions that make any crash harder to walk away from cleanly: heavy traffic mixed with distracted or impaired driving, and stretches of road where a driver believes they can leave unnoticed. Afternoon and early evening hours, when commuter traffic peaks and fatigue sets in, see a steady share of these incidents, though they can happen at any time of day.
Rural roads and intersections outside dense city centers, like many in Imperial County, present their own risk. Lower traffic volume can mean fewer witnesses, and drivers who panic after a crash may calculate, rightly or wrongly, that they won't be identified. Weekend afternoons and evenings also see upticks tied to increased road use and alcohol involvement.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 70 percent of people killed in hit-and-run crashes were pedestrians and bicyclists in 2023. That pattern reflects how often these crashes involve someone outside a vehicle, left exposed at the moment a driver chooses to flee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I'm involved in a hit-and-run crash?
Try to note details about the fleeing vehicle, such as color, make, or license plate, and call 911 immediately. Stay at the scene, seek medical attention if needed, and file a report with local police or the CHP as soon as possible.
What injuries are common in crashes like this?
Vehicles leaving the roadway or traveling through brush and fields can produce a range of injuries, from cuts and bruises to broken bones or head injuries, depending on speed and impact. Even low-speed crashes can leave occupants shaken and sore.
What are common causes of car accidents?
Distracted driving, speeding, impairment, and failure to yield are among the most frequently cited factors in police reports. Fleeing drivers in hit-and-run cases often compound an initial error with a second, more serious one by leaving the scene.
Does speed affect how severe a crash is?
Yes. Higher speeds reduce the time a driver has to react and increase the force involved when vehicles leave the road or strike another object, raising the likelihood of serious injury.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Calexico, CA
If you're involved in or witness a hit-and-run crash in Calexico, call 911 right away and stay put if it's safe to do so. Try to remember or write down any details about the other vehicle, even partial plate numbers can help investigators.
Don't forget to get checked by a medical professional even if injuries seem minor at first, since some symptoms take hours to appear. File a report with local police or the CHP, and keep any documentation of the incident for insurance purposes. Cooperating with the investigation gives authorities the best chance of identifying the driver who left the scene.
