Police said a vehicle driven by a 32-year-old woman struck him
July 08, 2026 | Delano, CA
DELANO, CA — Ivan Garza, 25, died after being struck by a vehicle while walking in his hometown on July 8.
What happened in the crash?
Ivan Garza, 25, died after being struck by a vehicle driven by a 32-year-old woman in Delano.
- Garza, a former offensive lineman at Sacramento State University, was hit by a 32-year-old woman driving the vehicle.
- The crash remains under investigation.
- Authorities have not determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
Why do these accidents happen?
Pedestrian fatalities in California exceed the national average. Contributing factors often include speeding, driver distraction, and impairment.
| Factor | Impact on Pedestrian Fatalities | Source |
|---|
| Speeding | Increases severity of impact | Federal Highway Administration |
| Distracted driving | Reduces driver reaction time | CDC |
| Impaired driving | Impairs judgment and control | California Office of Traffic Safety |
Legal Insights
National analysts stress the value of thorough investigations in pedestrian crash cases.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence,” said candice bond, managing partner of bond legal and national analyst with Newsline. “Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must be thoroughly examined.”
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of,” said stefano formica, of counsel with bond legal.
Family members of victims in cases such as this may pursue wrongful death claims for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Garza’s family.
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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).
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