Struck and Killed on Via De La Valle Near Plaza Valenza
LAKE ELSINORE, CA, (September 04, 2025) - A 25-year-old man, Edgar Orozco Martinez, was fatally struck by an out-of-control vehicle Thursday morning near an intersection in Lake Elsinore, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities report that Edgar Orozco Martinez was killed Thursday morning in a pedestrian accident on Via De La Valle.
The crash occurred around 11 a.m. on Via De La Valle just north of Plaza Valenza. Officials reported that a southbound vehicle lost control, hit a parked car, and then struck Martinez, who was walking along the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Martinez was a resident of Menifee. Authorities confirmed that the driver stayed at the scene and was not taken into custody. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Each year, thousands of pedestrians are killed on U.S. roads—a crisis driven by factors such as reckless driver behavior, inadequate infrastructure, and roads designed primarily for cars. Between 2009 and 2023, pedestrian deaths rose a staggering 80%, while all other traffic fatalities increased 13%, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
“In most instances, pedestrians possess the right of way when crossing an intersection or a street regardless of if they are in a marked crosswalk,” said Candice Bond, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal, noted that it’s imperative to have an independent probe conducted by a seasoned lawyer to help protect the rights of the victim’s family in cases such as this.
Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and the family of a victim must be ensured that evidence is reviewed in an efficient manner.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. The family of Edgar Orozco Martinez may be entitled to a wrongful death claim.
“Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of income and companionship, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident,” said Bond.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth,” Bond noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, has extensive experience with fatal pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one needs help, she offers free consultations.
(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).