Crash at State Highway 74 and Columbia Street
HEMET, CA, (September 20, 2025) - Debra Dean, 71, was killed Saturday night in Hemet when a Honda ran a red light and struck her at the intersection of State Highway 74 and Columbia Street, authorities reported.
71-year-old Debra Dean was tragically killed Saturday night in Hemet when a suspected drunk driver struck her, authorities said.
The driver, a 21-year-old man, fled the scene but was later arrested at Soboba Casino on suspicion of driving under the influence. Dean was taken to Hemet Global Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Police continue to investigate the crash.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Thousands of pedestrians are killed on U.S. roads every year — many by drunk drivers. All these deaths are entirely preventable. The 2023 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 7,314 pedestrians died in traffic crashes occurring on public roads.
Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney, was interviewed and provided her thoughts on incidents such as this one.
“Separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and national analyst for The Legal Advocate.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a grieving family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights, while ensuring that a drunk driver is held accountable for their reckless actions.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family of Debra Dean may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for medical and funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death,” said Bond, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, a hit-and-run, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).