Westbound vehicle struck the Escondido woman on the highway near Birch Avenue
February 06, 2026 | Escondido, CA
Jordan Alexis Blechertas, a 40-year-old resident of Escondido, lost her life after being struck by a vehicle on State Route 78 near Birch Avenue around 10 p.m. Friday.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed her identity and cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the collision. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries there.
Jordan Alexis Blechertas, 40, died from blunt force injuries after a westbound vehicle struck her on State Route 78 near Birch Avenue in Escondido.
What Happened in the Crash?
Authorities reported that Blechertas was walking in the area when a westbound car hit her. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to the scene and is leading the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
- Victim: Jordan Alexis Blechertas, 40, of Escondido
- Location: State Route 78 near Birch Avenue, Escondido
- Time: Approximately 10 p.m. on Feb. 6
- Vehicle Involved: Westbound passenger car
- Outcome: Fatal injuries leading to death at hospital
- Driver Information: Not released at this time
No additional information about the driver or potential charges has been disclosed as the investigation continues.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Like This Occur?
Pedestrian fatalities remain a pressing issue on U.S. roadways, often stemming from factors such as distracted driving, poor visibility, and inadequate infrastructure. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian deaths surged in recent years, highlighting the need for heightened awareness.
Statistic |
Value |
Source |
|---|
Pedestrian fatalities in first half of 2024 |
2,304 |
GHSA Report |
Annual U.S. pedestrian deaths (average) |
Over 7,000 |
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) |
Common contributing factors |
Distracted driving (25%), Speeding (30%), Impaired driving (20%) |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
This table underscores the preventable nature of many such tragedies, with data drawn from federal and safety organizations.
Legal Insights
Newsline consulted national legal analysts to provide a perspective on pedestrian collisions. Their input focuses on general practices in motor vehicle accident cases.
“In cases such as this, having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined.”
“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,” added Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline.
Key takeaways from analyst discussions:
- Thorough investigations often involve experienced teams to analyze crash dynamics.
- Families may pursue claims for wrongful death to cover losses like income, companionship, and emotional distress.
- It is typically a driver's duty to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or roadways.
- Attorneys can advocate against lowball insurance settlements to secure fair compensation.
“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 Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
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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).