The Fullerton Police Department is providing an update regarding a hit-and-run traffic collision involving a pedestrian that occurred on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
The adult male pedestrian who was critically injured in the collision has succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced deceased on Christmas morning, Thursday, December 25, 2025.
As previously reported, on December 20, 2025, at approximately 10:23 p.m., Fullerton Police Officers responded to the area of S. Gilbert St. and Carol Dr. following reports of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. The victim was transported to a local trauma center in critical condition. The driver failed to stop, render aid, or remain at the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing. The suspect vehicle is described as a white, four- door sedan believed to have sustained front-end damage.
The Fullerton Police Department continues to seek the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect vehicle and driver involved in this fatal collision.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Fullerton Police Traffic Accident Investigator Manes at (714) 738-6815 or via email at jmanes@fullertonpd.org.
Those wishing to provide information anonymously may contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or visit occrimestoppers.org.
In California, a hit-and-run driver who causes a fatality faces severe criminal penalties under California Vehicle Code 20001 (VC). Because the pedestrian in this Fullerton collision has died, the driver now faces “felony hit-and-run” charges.
Potential Criminal Penalties
Under current California law (VC 20001), if a hit-and-run results in death or permanent serious injury, the penalties include:
- State Prison Sentence: 2, 3, or 4 years in a California state prison.
- Alternative Jail Time: If the court determines a prison sentence is not appropriate, the driver faces a mandatory minimum of 90 days and up to one year in county jail.
- Fines: Criminal fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
- Restitution: The driver may be ordered to pay victim restitution to the family of the deceased for funeral expenses and other losses.
Additional Charges and Enhancements
Depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation, the driver could face additional, more severe charges:
- Vehicular Manslaughter: If the driver was negligent, they could be charged under Penal Code 192(c), which carries a sentence of up to 6 years in prison for gross negligence.
- Fleeing Enhancement: If the driver committed vehicular manslaughter and fled the scene, California law (VC 20001(c)) allows for an additional five years in state prison to be served consecutively to the manslaughter sentence.
- License Revocation: A conviction for a fatal hit-and-run typically results in the mandatory revocation of the driver’s license by the DMV.