Pacific Beach, CA (January 7, 2026) – Six-year-old Hudson Stephen O’Loughlin was killed in a hit-and-run accident while riding his bike in Pacific Beach on Saturday.
Incident Details: According to the San Diego Police Department, at around 3:45 p.m. on January 17, six-year-old Hudson Stephen O’Loughlin was riding his bicycle on the 1500 block of Pacific Beach Drive. He was hit by a car as he was crossing an alley near Ingraham Street.
Investigators reported that a driver was turning into the alley and hit six-year-old Hudson on his bike. The child was knocked off his bike. The driver stopped for several seconds before accelerating rapidly and heading south down the alley. As the driver moved forward, the vehicle ran Hudson over. The driver fled the scene.
Hudson was transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Within hours, police found the suspect’s vehicle in National City and took the driver into custody. Authorities identified the driver who fled the scene as a 32-year-old Tiffany Sanchez. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the crash.
Sanchez was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run.
Investigation: The San Diego Police Department is continuing to investigate the fatal hit-and-run collision on Pacific Beach Drive that killed six-year-old Hudson Stephen O’Loughlin.
Investigators will likely focus on:
- Crash reconstruction: Determining how the collision occurred as Sanchez allegedly turned into the alley and struck Hudson while he was crossing on his bike.
- Second impact timeline: Clarifying what happened after the initial impact, including the driver’s brief stop and the reported rapid acceleration that led to Hudson being run over.
- Witness and video evidence: Reviewing witness statements and any available surveillance, doorbell, or traffic camera footage to confirm the vehicle’s movements and timing.
- Vehicle evidence: Examining the suspect vehicle recovered in National City for damage and forensic evidence consistent with the crash.
- Driver conduct: Documenting actions after impact, including the decision to flee and the circumstances leading to the arrest within hours.
Together, these steps will help investigators confirm fault, establish a clear timeline, and support the criminal charges already filed.
Legal Considerations: With an arrest made and charges including vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run, this case may involve both criminal accountability and civil liability. Even if alcohol is not believed to be a factor, a driver can still be held responsible if the evidence shows negligent or reckless driving, especially in a situation involving a child in a residential area.
Hudson’s family may also have grounds for a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and the immeasurable loss of love, companionship, and support. Depending on the evidence, the family may also be able to pursue punitive damages if the driver’s conduct is found to be particularly reckless, such as fleeing the scene after the collision.
There are no words for a loss like this. My heart is with Hudson Stephen O’Loughlin’s family as they grieve this devastating tragedy.
Source San Diego Tribune