Long Beach, CA (January 4, 2026) – The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office identified the two individuals who were killed in a crash at Sixth Street and Atlantic Avenue as Bobbi Smith (24) and Gilberto Lopez (21).
Incident Details: According to the Long Beach Police Department, officers responded to a fatal hit-and-run involving three cars around 10 p.m. on Sunday. The crash involved a black Kia Soul, a Nissan Altima, and an orange 2021 BMW 330i.
Officers found an unresponsive female passenger of a Nissan lying on the roadway and an unresponsive male passenger on the sidewalk when they arrived at the scene. Police officers attempted to help the two passengers until Long Beach Fire Department rescuers arrived and declared both dead on the scene.
The driver of the Kia and the driver and front passenger of the Nissan were all taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial police investigation showed that the orange 2021 BMW 330i was driving east on East 6th Street when it ran a red light and entered the intersection with Atlantic Avenue. The BMW hit the Nissan, which was driving south on Atlantic Avenue through the intersection. The BMW then continued east and struck the Kia Soul, which was traveling north through the intersection. Police reported that after the crash, the BMW driver fled the scene.
Investigation: The Long Beach Police Department is continuing to investigate the fatal three-vehicle hit-and-run crash at East 6th Street and Atlantic Avenue that killed Bobbi Smith and Gilberto Lopez. As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities will likely focus on:
- Traffic signal and right-of-way: Confirming which vehicles had the green light and verifying that the BMW entered the intersection against a red light.
- Speed as a contributing factor: Determining whether the BMW was traveling at an unsafe speed before impact using crash reconstruction methods, witness accounts, and any available video evidence.
- Crash reconstruction evidence: Analyzing vehicle damage, debris patterns, impact points, and the final resting locations of all three vehicles to establish the sequence of collisions.
- Video and witness statements: Reviewing surveillance footage, traffic cameras, and eyewitness reports to clarify the BMW’s movements leading up to the crash and immediately afterward.
- Driver identification and location: Working to identify and locate the BMW driver who fled the scene, including confirming ownership and whether the vehicle was stolen or driven by an unauthorized person.
Together, these steps will help investigators confirm fault, identify the fleeing driver, and build a complete timeline of what happened before and after the fatal collision.
Legal Considerations: Hit-and-run crashes involving red-light violations and suspected speeding often result in both criminal and civil consequences. If investigators confirm the BMW driver caused the crash by running a red light, speeding, or driving recklessly, that driver may face serious criminal charges in addition to liability for the resulting deaths and injuries.
For the families of Bobbi Smith and Gilberto Lopez, the loss is heartbreaking. If the investigation determines the BMW driver’s negligence or recklessness caused the collision, a wrongful death claim may help surviving loved ones seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and the immeasurable loss of companionship and guidance.
The injured survivors may also have personal injury claims to recover medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering related to the crash.
My thoughts are with the families of Bobbi Smith and Gilberto Lopez during this heartbreaking time. I also wish a full and speedy recovery to everyone injured in the crash.
Source: Patch