Available 
Available 
JULIAN, San Diego County, Calif., Oct. 11, 2026 — Several pedestrians were injured Saturday morning, October 10, when a sedan struck them near the Apple Tree Inn on State Route 78 in Julian, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash was reported shortly before 10:15 a.m. in the 4300 to 4400 block of SR-78, where a white, small sedan reportedly struck multiple people on foot in front of the inn. A dispatch log described the vehicle as a hazard in the roadway after the crash, and one witness reportedly told authorities a pedestrian had landed on the hood of the car.
Fire crews were notified and responded to the scene, though the extent of injuries to those struck has not been released. It was not immediately clear how many people were hurt or whether any injuries were serious.
The vehicle involved was later towed from the scene after a private tow was called to the location. The California Highway Patrol has not released the driver's name or said whether any citations have been issued.
The crash remains under investigation. No further details on cause have been confirmed.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
When Pedestrian Crashes Are Most Likely to Happen
Pedestrian crashes do not spread evenly across the day. They cluster in the early morning and evening hours when light is low and drivers are adjusting to glare or shadow, and they rise again on weekend mornings and afternoons when foot traffic near shops, inns, and roadside businesses picks up. A driver's eyes need time to adjust between bright sun and shaded curb areas, and that lag can matter on a two-lane highway where people step off a sidewalk or parking area into the travel lane.
Rural highway corridors add their own pattern. Speeds tend to be higher than on city streets, crosswalks are less common, and drivers may not expect pedestrians near motels, restaurants, or scenic turnouts. A walker stepping from a parking lot onto a highway shoulder is harder to see and harder to stop for than one at a marked intersection.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrian fatalities decreased from 1,213 in 2022 to 1,106 in 2023. The drop suggests that conditions and driver behavior at any given moment, not just raw traffic volume, shape whether these crashes turn deadly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should drivers do to avoid striking someone on foot?
Slow down near driveways, parking areas, and any roadside business where people may step into traffic, and scan the shoulder as well as the lane ahead, especially in low light.
What injuries are common when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian?
Pedestrians struck by a vehicle often suffer broken bones, head and spinal injuries, and internal injuries from the initial impact or a fall onto the roadway or hood.
What usually causes these crashes?
Common factors include driver distraction, speed, poor visibility, and pedestrians crossing or standing outside marked crosswalks, particularly along rural highways.
Does speed affect whether a pedestrian survives?
Yes. Lower vehicle speeds give drivers more time to stop and reduce the force of impact, which generally lowers the chance of severe or fatal injury.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Julian, CA
If you're involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash, you should call 911 immediately so medical help can reach the scene quickly. Even if injuries seem minor at first, it's wise to get checked by a medical professional, since some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, aren't obvious right away.
If you're a witness, stay nearby if it's safe to do so and be ready to share what you saw with responding officers. Pedestrians and drivers alike should follow up with their own doctor in the days after the crash and keep records of any treatment, since symptoms can take time to appear.
