ATASCADERO, CA (December 1, 2025) — An Atascadero woman was struck and killed Monday morning while walking in a crosswalk at a Highway 101 on-ramp. The California Highway Patrol identified the victim as 69-year-old Rachel Hoffman.
Accident Details: On December 1 around 10:20 a.m., officers were dispatched to a pedestrian-involved traffic collision at the southbound Highway 101 on-ramp at San Anselmo Road, the California Highway Patrol-Templeton Area stated in a press release.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 66-year-old Atascadero man was driving his 2017 Ford F-150 westbound on San Anselmo Road when he turned left onto the on-ramp for southbound Highway 101. At the same time, Hoffman was walking eastbound on San Anselmo Road and crossing the crosswalk over the entrance to southbound Highway 101.
According to the CHP, the driver of the truck turned left onto the on-ramp and hit Hoffman in the crosswalk. Life-saving attempts were made at the scene, but Hoffman was pronounced dead.
Investigation: The California Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal collision. Alcohol nor drugs are currently considered to have played a role, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Legal Considerations: Drivers turning left onto freeway on-ramps must yield to pedestrians lawfully crossing in marked crosswalks. When a driver strikes a pedestrian who has the right-of-way in a crosswalk, the driver bears liability for the resulting injuries or death regardless of whether impairment was involved.
Crosswalks at on-ramp locations present unique hazards because drivers often focus on merging onto the freeway rather than watching for pedestrians. However, pedestrians in crosswalks always have the right-of-way, and drivers must stop and yield before proceeding.
The fact that Hoffman was walking eastbound in a marked crosswalk when struck establishes that she was lawfully using the crossing. The driver’s failure to see her or yield before turning demonstrates negligence that resulted in her death.
Wrongful death claims in cases where pedestrians are struck in crosswalks typically establish clear liability. These claims seek compensation for funeral expenses, the victim’s pain and suffering before death, and the loss of companionship and support the family will endure.
Families losing loved ones to driver negligence at marked crosswalks deserve accountability and compensation for their losses. The law exists to protect pedestrians in these situations, and drivers who fail to yield face both traffic violations and civil liability.
Our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rachel Hoffman during this time of loss.
Source: KEYT