Pickup truck struck pedestrian crossing road in Provo
December 26, 2025 | Provo, UT
An 80-year-old Provo resident lost his life after being struck by a pickup truck in a tragic pedestrian collision near the FrontRunner Station.
Mario Valer, 80, of Provo, died after he was hit by a westbound pickup while crossing 920 South 100 North near the FrontRunner station in Provo.
What Happened in the Crash?
On Dec. 15, Mario Valer was crossing the road at 920 South 100 North around 6:10 p.m. when a westbound pickup truck hit him. Emergency responders rushed Valer to Utah Valley Hospital in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
- Date and Time: Dec. 15, 2025, approximately 6:10 p.m.
- Location: 920 South 100 North, near FrontRunner Station, Provo, UT
- Victim: Mario Valer, 80, Provo resident
- Vehicle Involved: Westbound pickup truck
- Driver: Pleasant Grove man, who stayed at the scene
- Outcome: Driver arrested and booked into Utah County Jail on DUI and automobile homicide charges, second-degree felony
The Provo Police Department is leading the investigation, with no further details released at this time.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Like This Occur?
Pedestrian fatalities remain a pressing concern across U.S. roadways. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), about 2,304 pedestrians were killed in crashes during the first half of 2024 alone. Factors such as driver inattention, impaired driving, and poor visibility often contribute to these preventable tragedies.
Statistic |
Value |
Source |
|---|
Pedestrian Deaths (First Half 2024) |
2,304 |
GHSA Report |
Annual U.S. Pedestrian Fatalities (Average) |
About 7,500 |
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) |
Common Cause: Impaired Driving |
25% of Cases |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
Urban Pedestrian Risk Increase |
77% |
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) |
Legal Insights
Newsline's national legal analysts provide perspective on pedestrian collisions and the importance of thorough investigations.
“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.”
- Key Takeaway: Investigations often involve analyzing environmental factors to establish liability.
- Key Takeaway: Experienced teams can reconstruct accidents to support claims for compensation.
- Key Takeaway: Families may pursue damages for loss of income, companionship, pain, suffering, funeral costs, and emotional distress.
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “Family members may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. 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).