Riverside man was struck while working near Big Bear Boulevard
August 31, 2026 | Big Bear, CA
What happened in the crash?
BIG BEAR, CA — A 43-year-old Riverside man died after being struck by a vehicle while working in the Big Bear area.
Edgar Chavez, 43, of Riverside, was killed after a gray Toyota Tundra pickup struck him on Greenway Drive at Big Bear Boulevard in the Big Bear area, with the driver fleeing the scene.
- Date and time: Aug. 31 at approximately 7:11 a.m.
- Location: Intersection of Greenway Drive and Big Bear Boulevard
- Vehicle involved: Gray Toyota Tundra pickup truck
- Agency: California Highway Patrol (CHP)
- Outcome: Driver fled the scene; victim pronounced dead about one hour later
The investigation remains active. Authorities continue to seek the driver of the gray Toyota Tundra.
Why do hit-and-run crashes occur?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hit-and-run incidents accounted for 1,901 of 18,137 fatal crashes in California from 2017 to 2021, or 10.48 percent. The national rate stands at 6.33 percent. Common reasons drivers flee include intoxication, lack of a valid license, or fear of arrest.
| Statistic | California | National |
|---|
| Fatal crashes (2017–2021) | 18,137 | — |
| Hit-and-run fatal crashes | 1,901 | — |
| Hit-and-run percentage | 10.48% | 6.33% |
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
What legal options exist for families?
Family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages can include loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, an independent investigation helps establish liability and identify contributing factors such as road conditions, signage, and lighting.
“Having the proper resources is crucial to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal and a national analyst with Newsline. “Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all potential contributing factors that are considered and must be thoroughly examined.”
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital.”
Key takeaways
- Early investigation protects family rights
- Multiple factors beyond driver behavior may contribute
- Timely legal guidance helps navigate the claims process
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(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).