He was struck while walking west of Vermont Avenue in South Los Angeles
August 03, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA
What happened in the crash?
LOS ANGELES, CA — Keith Williams, 61, was struck and killed early Monday morning while walking in the westbound lanes of the Santa Monica Freeway just west of Vermont Avenue.
Keith Williams, 61, died after he was struck by a vehicle while walking in the westbound lanes of the Santa Monica Freeway just west of Vermont Avenue in South Los Angeles.
- Date and time: Approximately 3:45 a.m. on Aug. 3
- Location: Westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway, west of Vermont Avenue, South Los Angeles
- Vehicle involvement: Single vehicle struck the pedestrian
- Response: Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene
- Cause of death: Blunt trauma, confirmed by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner
- Investigating agency: California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate why the pedestrian was on the freeway. Anyone with information is asked to contact CHP.
Why do these accidents happen?
Every year, many pedestrians lose their lives on U.S. roads. Approximately 3,304 pedestrians were struck and killed by drivers on U.S. roads in the first half of 2024, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Contributing factors often examined include:
- Road conditions
- Signage visibility
- Road lighting
Accident Statistics
| Source | Period | Pedestrian Fatalities | Notes |
|---|
| Governors Highway Safety Association | First half of 2024 | 3,304 | National total on U.S. roads |
Legal Insights
“In cases such as this, having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence,” said Candice bond, managing partner of Bond Legal.
Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must be thoroughly examined. These procedures are necessary for helping those who have lost a loved one receive the justice that they deserve.
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.
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Stefano formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. The family of a victim 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.
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.
Key takeaways:
- Thorough investigation of road conditions and visibility is essential
- Accident reconstruction can clarify sequence of events
- Families may pursue compensation for economic and non-economic losses
- Legal representation helps counter quick settlement pressure from insurers
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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).