CHP Searching for Suspect After Fatal Hit-and-Run on I-5 Off-Ramp at Hawthorn Street
SAN DIEGO, CA, (June 20, 2025) -
A 29-year-old pedestrian was tragically killed early Friday morning in a hit-and-run crash in San Diego.
Doohyuk Chang Killed in Early Morning Hit-and-Run on I-5 Transition Ramp in San Diego
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, Doohyuk Chang was walking along the northbound Interstate 5 transition ramp at Hawthorn Street around 12:44 a.m. when he was struck by a vehicle.
Chang was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The California Highway Patrol reported that one driver fled and remains at large. Additional vehicles were also involved, though the involvement of their drivers has not yet been disclosed.
The incident remains under active investigation.
FATAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
In many hit-and-run cases, at-fault drivers flee the scene in an attempt to avoid responsibility. However, leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, and suspects typically face serious charges once apprehended.
Tragically, hit-and-run incidents are alarmingly common. Statistics show that more than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on U.S. roads. In California alone, the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reported that 893 pedestrians were killed on state roadways in 2018—an increase of 26% from 2014.
Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, stressed the importance of a prompt, independent investigation in these cases to protect a victim’s rights.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence,” said Bond. “Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors that must be thoroughly examined.”
Such investigations are critical in helping families who have lost a loved one to a hit-and-run driver pursue justice and secure the compensation they are legally entitled to.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Doohyuk Chang could pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek compensation for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“We understand just what families must go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
Bond added, “An attorney can protect victims from large insurance companies and their legal teams while thoroughly examining the facts of the accident. A skilled attorney will vigorously advocate for a grieving family, ensuring that their rights are upheld and that they receive the justice they deserve.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free, no-obligation consultation.
(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).
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