EspañolPedestrian Seriously Injured in Pasadena Car Accident With Pasadena Police Department Cruiser by Marengo Avenue and Washington Boulevard
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA (September 4, 2026) – A pedestrian was seriously injured in a Pasadena car accident with a police department cruiser by the intersection of Marengo Avenue and Washington Boulevard.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place around 10 PM on August 30. A pedestrian was standing in the street as traffic was moving.
He turned to move toward the curb when he was suddenly hit by a marked police cruiser that did not have any lights or sirens active. The force of the impact sent the man onto the hood and into the air before he came to rest in the street.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. He was transported to a local area hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.
The Pasadena Police Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is currently investigating what happened.
Liability for Pasadena Car Accidents
California law provides that public entities can be legally responsible for accidents when a government employee acts negligently within the course and scope of their job duties under California Vehicle Code section 17001. Authorized emergency drivers are given a great deal of immunity for many different accidents. But they must be responding to an actual emergency with their lights and sirens on. When an authorized emergency driver is not responding to an emergency, they must obey traffic regulations as would any other driver. Courts will take into consideration numerous factors when evaluating liability for any accident involving a police officer that hit a pedestrian.
- Emergency Response: It matters whether the officer involved was responding to an actual emergency at the time of the collision.
- Speed: The speed of the police officer should also be taken into consideration.
- Visibility: Another important factor is visibility conditions at the time of the crash. For example, would the officer have been able to spot the pedestrian and slow down in time to avoid a collision?
- Digital Evidence: They will also review any dash cam footage or surveillance footage that may have captured the actual crash.
When an officer fails to slow down to avoid hitting any pedestrian, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Moreover, the police department that they worked for could also be held at fault. Under California law, employers and public entities can be vicariously liable for the negligent conduct of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. It is therefore important to determine whether or not an officer was on the clock when any specific accident happened.
Evidence and Accountability After California Pedestrian Collisions
Accidents involving police officers and other emergency responders are unfortunately quite common. They result in many serious injuries and deaths each year. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2024, 225 people died in crashes involving emergency vehicles. More than half of these deaths were occupants of non-emergency vehicles (56%). Deaths among pedestrians accounted for 24% of the total, while emergency vehicle drivers represented 9%, and emergency vehicle passengers accounted for about 8% of the deaths.” It is vital that certain steps are taken after any accident involving a police officer in California.
- Victims should seek medical treatment as early as possible.
- The police report created after the crash should be sought.
- Any person that may have witnessed the collision should be interviewed right away.
- It should be determined if the officer was responding to an emergency at the time of the crash.
- All of the surveillance footage that may have captured the incident should be reviewed.
- Victims should consider their legal options with an experienced Los Angeles County personal injury attorney.
Accidents involving government vehicles can come with procedural requirements that are often substantially different from most other car accident claims in California. Under California Government Code section 911.2, claims that involve personal injury or death will typically need to be pursued within six months after the accident date. Failing to pursue a claim within the statute of limitations can result in a permanent forfeiture of your rights. Any person that is injured due to the negligent actions of a police officer should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to determine whether or not they have a legal claim.
Getting Legal Help After Pasadena Police Vehicle Accidents
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our best wishes to the pedestrian injured in this Pasadena police vehicle accident. It is our hope that he will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have seen what happened should contact investigators as early as possible. Many important safety questions have yet to be addressed. What was the speed of the officer prior to the crash? What is the history of collisions along the stretch of road?
Have you or a loved one been injured due to the negligent actions of a police officer in California? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is here to help you. We care deeply about ensuring victims get the medical and financial assistance that they need to recover and get back to their lives. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help with your unique situation, we are here to assist you. You are always welcome to contact us anytime at 626-799-9375.
