EspañolMan Riding a Skateboard Died After Being Hit by Los Angeles Police Department Vehicle Near Figueroa Street and Sycamore Grove Park in Highland Park
HIGHLAND PARK, LOS ANGELES (September 20, 2025) – A skateboarder has tragically died in Highland Park after being hit by an LAPD vehicle near Figueroa Street near Sycamore Grove.
Los Angeles County police officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The skateboarder was riding in the median of Figueroa Street when they were hit by a Los Angeles Police Department vehicle with lights and sirens on.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. One witness said that the LAPD vehicle was going very fast at the time of the collision.
The crash took place in front of some type of carnival on Sycamore Grove Park. That event was shut down early as a result of the crash.
Despite life-saving measures, the skateboarder died due to the severe nature of his injuries. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing.
The identity of the skateboarder has not been revealed. The victim was described as a male in their 20s or 30s.
Liability for Los Angeles County Police Department Accidents
Police officers in California are typically granted a great deal of immunity for motor vehicle accidents where emergency vehicles are involved. For immunity to apply, the emergency vehicles must have their lights and sirens active and be in the process of an emergency response. Though, officers must not act with a reckless disregard for the safety of the public. When police officers are not responding to an emergency with their lights and sirens, they must operate with due care like every other driver.
- Speed: They must operate at a safe speed, given the prevailing conditions of the roadway.
- Blind Spots: Drivers must check their blind spots and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully crossing at a marked crosswalk.
- Turn Signals: Police officers should use their turn signals to alert pedestrians of their intentions.
If a police officer is speeding and fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. If a police officer was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Municipal entities in California can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers insofar as those workers were operating within the course of their job duties.
Steps to Take After Los Angeles Police Department Accidents
Accidents involving emergency vehicles remain very common. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2023, 198 people died in crashes involving emergency vehicles. More than half of these deaths were occupants of non-emergency vehicles (57%). Deaths among pedestrians accounted for 23% of the total, while emergency vehicle drivers represented 11%, and emergency vehicle passengers accounted for about 7% of the deaths.” It is important that certain steps are taken after any accident involving a police vehicle.
- Police Footage: Police vehicles will typically be equipped with cameras that capture most of what an officer sees as they are driving. This footage can help paint a clear picture of how an accident took place.
- Medical Records: All medical records related to an accident should be collected and preserved. These can help reveal the extent and severity of the victim’s injuries.
- Legal Support: Any person injured in a car accident with a police car should contact an experienced attorney. An attorney can take steps to ensure that evidence is being protected and your rights are being upheld.
Accidents with police vehicles are often largely preventable. They tend to involve situations where officers are not paying adequate attention to the road ahead of them. It may also be the case that officers speed and commit other traffic infractions while assuming no one is going to hold them accountable. The family of any pedestrian killed in a crash with an emergency vehicle may be able to pursue some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Los Angeles Police Department Car Accidents
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the skateboarder who died in this crash. Any person who may have more information should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. It is deeply concerning that a police officer was traveling so fast in an area with so many pedestrians nearby.
Do you need more information about a car accident involving an LAPD vehicle? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that police departments are held accountable for the negligent actions of their workers. Whether you have legal questions or need insight into the unique circumstances that led up to any collision, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
