Davis, California (April 13, 2026) — A 20-year-old UC Davis student died after a collision involving a car and a bicycle near campus Monday afternoon, according to university officials and the Solano County Coroner’s Office.
Officials later identified the student as Lincoln Sabini, a UC Davis sophomore and graduate of McClatchy High School in Sacramento.
The crash happened just before 3:00 p.m. on Hutchison Drive near the West Village housing area.
Incident Details: According to UC Davis and later reporting from ABC10, Sabini was riding his bicycle on Hutchison Drive near West Village when he was struck by a car. He was taken to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center, where he later died.
University officials initially withheld his name out of respect for the family. UC Davis said the campus was following its postvention guidelines after the student’s death and offering support services to students, faculty, and staff affected by the loss.
Public reporting has not yet provided additional details about the driver, how the collision occurred, or what movements by either the bicycle or car led to the crash.
Investigation: The UC Davis Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is leading the investigation in coordination with other agencies. In a crash like this, investigators will likely focus on right-of-way, visibility, speed, roadway design, and the position of both the bicycle and vehicle at the time of impact.
Investigators may also review surveillance footage, witness statements, vehicle damage, and any physical evidence from the scene to determine exactly how the collision happened. In bicycle-versus-car crashes near student housing, roadway layout and driver awareness often become especially important. This is the kind of collision that calls for a careful reconstruction so the victim’s family and the campus community can better understand what happened and why.
Legal Considerations: Fatal bicycle crashes often lead to significant civil liability concerns, particularly when initial public reports have limited information. Conducting a civil investigation can uncover additional details not evident from early reports and help preserve evidence before it deteriorates or is lost. In cases, such as a student killed near campus housing, a thorough investigation can also raise wider issues related to bicycle safety and roadway design in that area.
If the investigation reveals that the driver’s negligence caused the accident, Sabini’s family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages, which could include compensation for funeral and burial costs, lost financial contributions, and loss of companionship and affection.
My deepest condolences go to the loved ones and family of Lincoln Sabini and to the UC Davis community as it mourns his loss.