By Crash News Writer 
Van Nuys, CA (November 9, 2026) – A 33-year-old man was killed Thursday evening, November 5, after being struck by two vehicles on Victory Boulevard in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the pedestrian survived the initial collision but was struck by a second vehicle, trapped underneath it, and dragged several blocks before being left in the roadway.
The first collision occurred shortly before 6 p.m. as the man was crossing Victory Boulevard between Willis Avenue and Cedros Avenue. Police reported that a blue Volvo struck the pedestrian, leaving him injured in the street.
The driver of the Volvo stopped following the collision and remained at the scene. According to LAPD, that motorist is cooperating with investigators as they work to determine what happened.
While the pedestrian was lying in the roadway following the initial impact, a second vehicle approached and struck him. Investigators described the second vehicle as a red sedan.
Police said the man became trapped beneath the red sedan and was dragged for several blocks. He eventually became dislodged from the vehicle near Van Nuys High School, where emergency personnel later pronounced him dead.
The driver of the red sedan did not stop after the collision. According to LAPD, the motorist continued traveling northbound without remaining at the scene or providing assistance to the injured pedestrian.
Authorities are searching for the driver responsible for the second collision. Police have not released the driver’s identity or announced an arrest in connection with the fatal hit-and-run.
The victim’s name was not immediately released because authorities were awaiting notification of his next of kin. Officials confirmed that he was 33 years old but did not provide additional identifying information.
Video captured by AIR7 showed the blue Volvo stopped with significant damage to its front windshield. The footage also showed dark skid marks along Cedros Avenue extending toward the location where investigators had placed a tent over the deceased man’s body.
The available information does not establish the speed of either vehicle or explain why the second driver failed to stop. Investigators also have not released findings concerning impairment, distraction, or other possible contributing factors.
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating both collisions, including the actions of the driver who fled. Although the Volvo driver remained at the scene and cooperated with officers, authorities have not released a final determination concerning responsibility for the initial impact.
Police are asking anyone with information about the fatal collision to contact the LAPD Valley Traffic Division. Investigators may be able to use witness statements, surveillance recordings, and other evidence to identify the red sedan and its driver.
Anyone with information can contact Officer Hansen at (818) 644-8255 or Detective Martinez at (818) 644-8033. During non-business hours or weekends, callers may contact 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).
The investigation remains active as police work to identify the fleeing motorist and establish the complete sequence of events.
Understanding Your Rights After a Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Run in Van Nuys
Pedestrian accidents can cause devastating injuries because people walking have little physical protection when struck by motor vehicles. When a pedestrian is hit by more than one vehicle, determining how the injuries occurred and which driver contributed to the outcome can become especially complicated.
A hit-and-run may create additional difficulties because investigators must identify the fleeing driver before they can fully examine that person’s actions. Evidence from witnesses, surveillance cameras, and the vehicles involved may become important in establishing responsibility.
Under car accident laws in California, surviving family members may have legal options when another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct causes a pedestrian’s death.
However, each claim depends on the circumstances and the available evidence. The fact that a driver fled the scene may be relevant to the investigation, but it does not automatically establish every element of civil liability.
Anyone searching for a car accident near me or a car accident near Van Nuys should understand that pedestrian collisions may involve different traffic laws, insurance questions, and evidence than ordinary vehicle-to-vehicle accidents.
An official car accident report may help establish the location, vehicles, and preliminary findings, but additional investigation may be necessary when multiple collisions contribute to a fatal outcome.
What Makes Multiple-Impact Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the initial impact may cause injuries that prevent the person from moving away from traffic.
A person who falls onto the roadway may remain exposed to approaching vehicles, particularly when drivers do not recognize the hazard in time.
A second collision can cause additional injuries, making it difficult to determine which impacts contributed to the person’s death.
These cases may require detailed medical and accident reconstruction evidence to establish the sequence of injuries and the role of each vehicle.
In the November 5 Van Nuys accident, LAPD reported that the pedestrian survived the initial impact involving a blue Volvo.
While he was lying in the street, a red sedan struck him and dragged him several blocks before he became dislodged near Van Nuys High School.
The available report does not describe the injuries sustained during the first collision or explain the medical findings associated with the second impact.
Those details may become important when investigators evaluate the cause of death and the actions of both drivers.
What Does California Law Require After a Crash Involving Injuries?
California law requires drivers involved in collisions resulting in injury or death to stop and fulfill specific legal responsibilities.
Under California Vehicle Code § 20001, a driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death must stop at the scene and comply with applicable statutory requirements.
California Vehicle Code § 20003 also addresses the duties of drivers involved in injury accidents, including providing identifying information and rendering reasonable assistance to injured individuals.
Failing to comply with these requirements can result in serious criminal consequences, depending on the circumstances.
In the Van Nuys collision, police reported that the driver of the blue Volvo stopped and cooperated with investigators.
The driver of the red sedan, however, allegedly continued northbound after striking and dragging the pedestrian.
Police are searching for that driver, and no arrest was announced in the initial report.
The driver’s failure to stop is a significant part of the investigation, but authorities have not released information establishing the driver’s identity or whether criminal charges have been filed.
Can a Driver Be Held Responsible for Striking a Pedestrian Outside a Crosswalk?
California law establishes responsibilities for both drivers and pedestrians, including rules governing crossings outside marked crosswalks.
Under California Vehicle Code § 21954, pedestrians crossing a roadway outside a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection generally must yield the right-of-way to vehicles close enough to constitute an immediate hazard.
However, the same statute provides that drivers must exercise due care for the safety of pedestrians.
This means that crossing outside a designated crosswalk does not automatically eliminate a driver’s responsibility to operate a vehicle safely.
Investigators may examine the pedestrian’s location, traffic conditions, vehicle speed, visibility, and the driver’s opportunity to avoid the collision.
In the November 5 accident, police reported that the pedestrian was crossing Victory Boulevard between Willis Avenue and Cedros Avenue when the Volvo struck him.
The available information does not establish whether the pedestrian was within a marked or unmarked crosswalk or whether either party violated a traffic law.
Authorities have not announced a final determination concerning responsibility for the first collision.
The second impact presents separate questions because the pedestrian was reportedly lying in the roadway when the red sedan struck him.
Can Both Drivers Be Held Responsible in a Multiple-Vehicle Pedestrian Accident?
When a pedestrian is struck by more than one vehicle, determining responsibility may require examining the conduct of each driver and the injuries caused by each impact.
California generally follows a pure comparative negligence system, which allows fault to be assigned among responsible parties according to the evidence.
In a multiple-impact accident, investigators may need to determine whether the first collision created the circumstances leading to the second and whether the second driver had an opportunity to avoid striking the pedestrian.
Medical evidence may also become important in determining which injuries contributed to the death.
However, the presence of two vehicles does not automatically establish that both drivers were negligent.
The first driver may have complied with applicable traffic laws, or evidence may show that the driver’s conduct contributed to the initial impact.
Similarly, the second driver’s responsibility for the collision must be evaluated using the available evidence, even though police reported that the driver fled afterward.
In the Van Nuys accident, LAPD confirmed that the Volvo driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Police have not released findings establishing fault for the initial collision or the precise circumstances surrounding the second impact.
How Does California’s Comparative Negligence Law Affect Pedestrian Claims?
California follows a pure comparative negligence system under principles established by state law.
Under this approach, an injured person’s compensation may be reduced according to their percentage of responsibility for an accident.
Unlike states that bar recovery when a person’s fault exceeds a particular percentage, California generally permits recovery even when the injured person bears a substantial share of responsibility.
For example, if a person is found partially responsible for an accident, the damages recoverable from other responsible parties may be reduced according to that percentage.
This rule can become important in pedestrian accidents involving disputed right-of-way or roadway crossing circumstances.
However, fault must be established through evidence rather than assumptions about where the pedestrian was walking.
Anyone researching a car accident near me or a car accident near Van Nuys should understand that California’s comparative negligence rules may affect the amount of compensation available in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
In the November 5 accident, authorities have not released enough information to determine whether the pedestrian or either driver violated an applicable traffic law.
The investigation must establish the relevant facts before responsibility can be evaluated.
Can Families File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Hit-and-Run?
California law allows certain surviving family members to pursue wrongful death claims when a person’s death results from another party’s legally actionable negligence or wrongful conduct.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, qualifying individuals may include a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and certain other eligible relatives or dependents.
Potential damages may include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship, care, and guidance recognized under California law.
However, a fatal collision does not automatically establish that a particular driver or another party is legally responsible.
A wrongful death claim generally requires evidence showing that the defendant’s wrongful conduct caused or contributed to the death.
In cases involving multiple impacts, medical and accident reconstruction evidence may be especially important in evaluating causation.
In the Van Nuys accident, police reported that the pedestrian survived the first collision before being struck and fatally dragged by the second vehicle.
The available information does not establish whether the first collision caused injuries that contributed to the death or how responsibility may be allocated.
A wrongful death claim would require further examination of the evidence and applicable law.
What Happens When the Hit-and-Run Driver Cannot Be Identified?
A hit-and-run investigation may continue even when police have not identified the fleeing driver.
Investigators may review surveillance footage, witness statements, vehicle debris, and other evidence to determine the vehicle’s identity.
Descriptions of the vehicle’s color, body style, and direction of travel may help investigators narrow their search.
In the November 5 collision, LAPD described the fleeing vehicle as a red sedan that continued northbound after dragging the pedestrian.
Authorities have not released a license plate number or identified the driver.
Insurance coverage may become important when a driver cannot be located.
Uninsured motorist coverage may provide benefits in certain hit-and-run accidents, depending on the policy, the available evidence, and California’s statutory requirements.
However, coverage is not automatic, and certain claims may require proof of physical contact and compliance with notice requirements.
A review of applicable insurance policies would be necessary to determine whether benefits may be available.
What Evidence Can Help Identify a Hit-and-Run Driver?
Evidence collected soon after a hit-and-run may be important because surveillance recordings can be overwritten and physical evidence may disappear.
Investigators may review video from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, residential security systems, and vehicles equipped with recording devices.
Witnesses who observed the collision or saw the fleeing vehicle afterward may also provide useful information.
Vehicle debris, paint transfer, and damage patterns may help investigators identify a particular make or model.
In the Van Nuys accident, AIR7 footage showed the damaged blue Volvo and skid marks extending along Cedros Avenue.
However, the available report does not establish whether investigators have obtained footage showing the red sedan’s license plate or its driver.
An official car accident report may document the evidence collected and the investigating officers’ preliminary findings.
The Los Angeles Police Department continues searching for the driver of the red sedan.
Anyone with relevant information can contact Valley Traffic Division Officer Hansen at (818) 644-8255 or Detective Martinez at (818) 644-8033.
How Long Do Families Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
California generally provides two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
However, exceptions and special rules may apply depending on the circumstances.
Claims involving public entities may require an administrative claim to be presented within six months, subject to applicable exceptions and procedures.
Insurance policies may also contain separate notice requirements that should not be confused with the deadline for filing a lawsuit.
Families considering legal action should understand that the applicable deadlines depend on the facts and the parties involved.
In the November 5 Van Nuys accident, the second driver had not been identified in the initial report.
The investigation’s findings may affect which legal claims are available and which parties may be responsible.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article reflects information reported by ABC7 Los Angeles on November 6, 2026, including statements attributed to the Los Angeles Police Department. The fatal pedestrian collision occurred Thursday evening, November 5, along Victory Boulevard in Van Nuys.
- Pedestrian killed: A 33-year-old man died after being struck by two vehicles and dragged several blocks. Authorities had not released his identity pending notification of his next of kin.
- First collision: Police reported that a blue Volvo struck the pedestrian shortly before 6 p.m. as he crossed Victory Boulevard between Willis Avenue and Cedros Avenue. The Volvo driver stopped and is cooperating with investigators.
- Second collision: While the pedestrian was lying in the roadway, a red sedan struck him and dragged him several blocks. The man became dislodged near Van Nuys High School and was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Driver fled: LAPD reported that the red sedan continued northbound without stopping to provide assistance. Police are searching for the driver, and no arrest was announced in the initial report.
- Investigation ongoing: Authorities have not released findings establishing the speed of either vehicle or the circumstances leading to the collisions. Readers can review our frequently asked questions in California for additional information about accident-related claims.
- Witnesses requested: Anyone with information can contact Officer Hansen at (818) 644-8255, Detective Martinez at (818) 644-8033, or the LAPD after-hours line at 877-527-3247. Families affected by fatal accidents can also explore accident resources in California for additional information.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Information reflects publicly available reports and may change as investigators release additional findings. The second driver’s identity and the circumstances surrounding both impacts remain under investigation, and no final determination of civil liability should be assumed. Please review our disclaimer for further details.
Fatal pedestrian hit-and-run accidents can leave surviving families facing funeral expenses, financial uncertainty, and unanswered questions about who caused the collision. California law establishes specific requirements for wrongful death claims, comparative negligence, uninsured motorist coverage, and claims involving multiple responsible parties. A California personal injury lawyer can review the available evidence, explain applicable filing deadlines, and discuss whether surviving family members may have grounds to pursue compensation following a fatal pedestrian accident.