San Diego, California (October 26, 2025) — A 6-year-old boy was struck and killed Saturday evening in a hit-and-run crash while crossing University Avenue in San Diego’s Chollas Creek neighborhood, according to the San Diego Police Department. The driver responsible remains at large.
Incident Details: The collision occurred around 6:50 p.m. near the intersection of University Avenue and 54th Street. Police said the child was crossing the street with his mother when he was hit by a vehicle that fled the scene before officers arrived. The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as an older model two-door Honda Civic last seen speeding away from the area. The busy stretch of University Avenue, which includes a shopping center and several apartment buildings, is heavily trafficked by pedestrians and families who often cross mid-block to avoid walking to the traffic light at 54th Street.
Residents who witnessed the aftermath described the scene as heartbreaking. “I was just saying, ‘Please God, keep him alive,’” one bystander told NBC 7. “At the same time, looking at the woman who was trying to wake him up and just shaking him.”
Investigation: The San Diego Police Department’s Traffic Division is actively investigating the case. Lieutenant Travis Easter said detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and canvassing nearby businesses to locate the vehicle and identify the suspect.
The area’s long-standing traffic safety concerns have reignited community frustration. Local residents told reporters that drivers often speed through this section of University Avenue and that crosswalk safety improvements have been needed for years. Police have not ruled out speeding or reckless driving as potential factors.
Once identified, the driver will likely face serious criminal charges. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact SDPD Traffic Division investigators or San Diego Crime Stoppers.
Legal Considerations: The family of the young victim may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver once they are located. Hit-and-run fatalities are not only criminal offenses but also civil matters that can entitle families to compensation for funeral expenses, emotional distress, and the unimaginable loss of a child’s life.
Even if the suspect remains unidentified, families can sometimes access benefits through California’s Victim Compensation Program or uninsured motorist coverage if applicable. A skilled pedestrian accident attorney can help pursue all available legal avenues while investigators continue their work.
My heart goes out to the family of the 6-year-old boy killed in this tragic and senseless crash.
Source: NBC San Diego