Fresno County, CA (March 17, 2025) – Maria Paredes, 74, has been identified as the woman who was fatally struck by a vehicle early Saturday morning while using a walker on Clinton Avenue, just east of Bond Street.
Incident Details: According to investigators, the crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. when Paredes was walking in the westbound lanes of Clinton Avenue. The driver of the vehicle immediately stopped and called 911, but Paredes succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Authorities noted that the area is extremely dark due to the lack of streetlights. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected to have played a role in the crash.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Pedestrian fatalities often raise concerns about road safety, visibility, and driver awareness. Investigators will assess whether factors such as poor lighting or driver reaction time contributed to the collision. If unsafe road conditions played a role, the city may bear some liability. In cases of pedestrian fatalities, surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their loss.
My deepest condolences go out to the family of Maria Paredes.
Source: ABC30 Fresno