Pedestrian killed in early morning crash on Calle Real, authorities report
GOLETA, CA, (June 29, 2025) - A woman was fatally struck by a vehicle early Sunday morning in Goleta, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The crash occurred around 12:55 a.m. on Calle Real.
Jeselyn Invina, 68, of Goleta, was involved in a fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision early Sunday morning on Calle Real in Goleta, authorities reported.
Authorities say 68-year-old Jeselyn Invina, a Goleta resident, was driving westbound when she reportedly lost sight of the roadway due to the glare of oncoming headlights. As a result, Invina veered to the right and struck a female pedestrian, who was found lying off the roadway by responding deputies. The woman died from her injuries at the scene.
Investigators determined the collision happened when Invina looked away from the road. The Sheriff's Major Accident Response Team is handling the ongoing investigation.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released. No further details are available at this time.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Experts cite the rise of larger vehicles like SUVs, along with distracted and impaired driving and unsafe road designs, as key contributors to the sharp increase in pedestrian deaths. Since 2011, pedestrian fatalities have surged by 68 percent nationwide, painting a troubling picture of roadway safety.
“In most instances, pedestrians possess the right of way when crossing an intersection or a street, regardless of whether they are in a marked crosswalk,” said Candice Bond, a seasoned pedestrian accident attorney and Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
Bond emphasized the importance of an independent investigation in fatal pedestrian incidents to help protect the rights of grieving families.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time while ensuring that a driver is held accountable if they do not obey traffic laws,” Bond added.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. The family members of the victim killed in the crash 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,” said Bond.
Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family through this difficult time, while protecting their rights.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth,” Bond noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
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).