Vehicle struck man in wheelchair on roadway near Poplar Street
January 22, 2026 | Stockton, CA
A devastating pedestrian accident claimed the life of 68-year-old Joe Serna on Jan. 22 along El Dorado Street near Poplar Street.
Joe Serna, 68, died from injuries after a white SUV struck him on El Dorado Street near Poplar Street in Stockton.
What Happened in the Crash?
Authorities from the Stockton Police Department responded to the scene shortly before 7:20 p.m. on Thursday. Key details include:
- A white SUV struck two adult male pedestrians in the roadway.
- One of the victims, Joe Serna, who used a wheelchair, sustained fatal injuries.
- Serna's brother, aged 66 and serving as his caretaker, suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
- A passing sergeant discovered the victims and the stopped vehicle, prompting an immediate emergency response.
- Firefighters and paramedics from American Medical Response provided on-site aid before transporting the injured.
The Stockton Police Department's Traffic Unit, along with a Major Case Investigator, took charge of the scene. Support arrived from a deputy district attorney and the Victim Witness Unit of the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
Investigators are actively piecing together the crash through evidence analysis and interviews with witnesses.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Like This Occur?
Pedestrian fatalities have surged across California, raising concerns about road safety. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the state reported 1,069 such deaths in 2023, the nation's highest, and about 25% of all traffic fatalities.
The California Highway Patrol noted a 9% rise in these incidents from 2022 to 2023. Los Angeles County bears nearly 40% of the state's total, with San Diego, Orange, and Riverside counties contributing another 25%.
National trends point to larger vehicles like SUVs and pickups obscuring visibility, contributing to a 60% increase in pedestrian deaths since 2013, per the Governors Highway Safety Association.
County/Region |
Percentage of CA Pedestrian Fatalities (2023) |
Key Contributing Factors |
|---|
Los Angeles County |
About 40% |
High traffic volume, urban density |
San Diego, Orange, Riverside Counties (combined) |
About 25% |
Visibility issues with larger vehicles |
Statewide Total |
1,069 deaths |
9% increase from prior year, and road conditions, lighting |
Data sourced from California Office of Traffic Safety and Governors Highway Safety Association.
Road conditions, visibility, and lighting often play roles in these tragedies. An accident reconstruction team can clarify contributing elements to support affected families.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, national legal analysts emphasize the driver's responsibility to yield to pedestrians.
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Families may pursue wrongful death claims to address losses.
“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 Formica.
Key takeaways include:
- Insurance providers may push for low settlements, and experienced representation ensures fair compensation.
- Attorneys guide families through legal processes with compassion and vigor.
- Resources like accident reconstruction aid in establishing liability and securing rightful remedies.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, managing partner with Bond Legal. “An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision.”
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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).