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GARDENA, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 15, 2026 — A pedestrian was reportedly struck by a Metro bus Monday afternoon, September 14, near the intersection of Ainsworth Ave and Redondo Beach Blvd in Gardena, according to authorities. The crash was initially logged as a possible fatality, though that status has not been officially confirmed.
The collision was reported to the California Highway Patrol shortly before 3:44 p.m. Monday, according to dispatch records. A Metro bus was reportedly involved in a crash with a pedestrian at the intersection, and the call was flagged as a possible fatality pending confirmation from the coroner’s office.
Local jurisdiction over the incident was still being sorted out in the hours after the crash. Lawndale sheriff’s personnel were dispatched to the scene around 5:54 p.m. to help determine which agency would handle the investigation, according to CHP dispatch logs. It was not immediately clear from available records whether the pedestrian survived.
Authorities continue investigating the crash. We hope those who were hurt recover fully.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk When Struck by a Bus or Large Vehicle
Pedestrians hit by buses or other large vehicles face different odds than those struck by passenger cars, largely because of vehicle size, blind spots, and stopping distance. Buses have wide turning radii and large blind zones near the front and sides, areas where a person crossing or standing close to the vehicle may not be visible to the driver.
Older adults and people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids are often overrepresented in pedestrian crash data, in part because they may need more time to cross an intersection or clear a bus’s path. Children can also be harder for bus drivers to see due to their height relative to the vehicle’s mirrors and hood.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrian fatalities decreased from 1,213 in 2022 to 1,106 in 2023. Even with that decline, pedestrians struck by transit vehicles and buses continue to make up a notable share of serious injury crashes in urban areas with heavy bus routes, reflecting how vehicle size and visibility gaps shape outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should someone do immediately after being hit by a vehicle while walking?
Call 911 right away, even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, may not be obvious right away. Stay as still as possible until paramedics arrive and avoid moving an injured limb or your neck.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
In California, 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 intersections with turning buses or trucks.
What can drivers do to avoid hitting someone on foot?
Slowing down near crosswalks, checking mirrors and blind spots before turning, and avoiding distractions like phones are basic habits that help. Large vehicle operators are trained to check blind spots repeatedly before pulling away from a stop.
What injuries are most common when a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle?
Common injuries include broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, and internal bleeding. The severity often depends on the vehicle’s speed and size at the moment of impact.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Gardena, CA
Anyone involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash in Gardena should call 911 immediately and stay at the scene until first responders arrive. Getting checked by a medical professional is important even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms take hours or days to appear.
If you’re a witness, jotting down what you saw, including the time, vehicle description, and any traffic signals involved, can help investigators piece together what happened. Photos of the scene, taken safely from a distance, can also be useful.
Following up with local police or CHP for a copy of the incident report is a reasonable next step once the immediate situation has settled. It’s also worth reaching out to your own insurance provider to report the incident, regardless of fault.
