Santa Maria, CA (March 14, 2026) – One-year-old Lailani Díaz Vázquez was identified as the child who died after being struck by a vehicle while in a stroller in Santa Maria. Her mother was also seriously injured in the collision.
Incident Details: According to the Santa Maria Police Department, the collision occurred around 2:48 p.m. on March 14, 2026, near the intersection of North Broadway and Fesler Street. Investigators reported that Lailani and her 30-year-old mother were crossing Broadway on the west side of the intersection when they were struck by a vehicle.
Police said an 18-year-old driver was attempting to turn right onto Broadway when the vehicle struck the mother and child.
Mother and child were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center with major injuries. Lailani later died at the hospital, and her mother remains in critical condition.
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Authorities stated that drugs or alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash.
Investigation: The Santa Maria Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. As part of the investigation, authorities may consider several key factors, including:
- Right-of-way at the intersection—whether the mother and child were lawfully crossing, and whether the driver failed to yield during the turn.
- Driver visibility and attentiveness—whether the driver was able to see the pedestrian and stroller before initiating the turn.
- Vehicle movement and turning behavior—how the vehicle approached and executed the right turn onto Broadway.
- Traffic conditions and intersection design—whether roadway layout, signals, or pedestrian markings contributed to the incident.
- Witness statements and physical evidence—accounts from bystanders and evidence at the scene to help reconstruct how the crash occurred.
These factors will help investigators determine how the collision happened and whether any traffic violations, negligence, or contributing circumstances were involved.
Legal Considerations: Crashes involving pedestrians in crosswalks, especially those involving children, often raise serious questions about right-of-way and driver responsibility. Under California law, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to exercise due care to avoid collisions.
If investigators determine that the driver failed to yield or was otherwise negligent, Lailani Díaz Vázquez’s family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Additionally, her mother, who survived with critical injuries, may have a personal injury claim to seek compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and other damages.
These cases can involve significant emotional and financial impacts, and the outcome will depend on the facts established during the investigation.
There are no words that can ease the loss of a child. My heart goes out to the family of Lailani Díaz Vázquez, and I hope her mother is able to recover from her injuries. The outpouring of community support reflects just how deeply this tragedy has touched those around them.
Source: Santa Maria Times