Yucaipa, California (January 1, 2026) — A New Year’s Day pedestrian crash in Yucaipa claimed the life of Ryan Riddles, a 42-year-old resident, after he was struck by a vehicle along Bryant Street, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Incident Details: The collision was reported at approximately 7:12 p.m. near the intersection of Bryant Street and Cornell Drive. Sheriff’s officials said Riddles was in the roadway when he was struck by a gray 2021 Toyota Tacoma traveling southbound on Bryant Street.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Riddles suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the location. Authorities said the driver of the Toyota remained at the scene and cooperated fully with the investigation. No arrests were made in connection with the crash.
Deputies closed both the southbound and northbound lanes of Bryant Street for several hours while investigators documented the scene and worked to determine the cause of the collision.
According to a GoFundMe page created for his family, Riddles grew up in Redlands and spent much of his life there. The page also noted that he had survived a prior vehicle collision as a teenager, when he was struck and dragged by a car while playing hockey with neighborhood friends. Family members described him as a kind and gentle person whose life was shaped, but not defined, by that earlier trauma.
Investigation: The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department conducted an investigation into the crash and reported that neither drugs nor alcohol were factors in the collision. Deputies also stated that speed or negligence was not determined to be a contributing factor.
In pedestrian crashes without impairment or speed issues, investigators focus on visibility, lighting, pedestrian position, and roadway environment. Since the crash happened in the evening, they likely examined ambient lighting, headlights, and pedestrian visibility. They also assess roadway design, lane width, traffic patterns, and possible visual obstructions. Physical evidence like the impact point, debris, and vehicle damage helps confirm the event sequence and matches witness and driver accounts.
Even in cases where no criminal violations are identified, investigators document these details carefully to provide a complete and accurate understanding of how the collision occurred. Authorities continue to ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has additional information to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Legal Considerations: Pedestrian fatalities do not always involve criminal conduct, but they still represent profound and irreversible loss. From a civil standpoint, cases like this often involve careful review of roadway conditions, visibility, and whether additional safety measures could reduce the risk of similar tragedies in the future.
Should the investigation reveal driver negligence, a wrongful death claim could be pursued by the family of Ryan Riddles to help cover funeral costs and other resulting losses.
I extend my sincere condolences to the Riddles family, friends, and loved ones as they mourn this tragic loss.
Source: Patch.com