Bicyclist fatally struck by pickup truck Saturday night on Adams Avenue
ORANGE COVE, CA, (June 28, 2025) - A woman riding a bicycle was tragically killed Saturday night after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Orange Cove, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Rafaela Cruz was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter after allegedly hitting and killing a bicyclist Saturday night on Adams Avenue in Orange Cove.
The fatal crash occurred around 9:30 p.m. along Adams Avenue near Cove Avenue. CHP officials said the bicyclist was carrying a handheld light when she was hit by a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup. The woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver fled, but investigators later identified and arrested 41-year-old Rafaela Cruz of Orosi. She has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges including felony gross vehicular manslaughter.
FATAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Hit-and-run accidents remain a troubling and all-too-common occurrence on U.S. roads. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than one hit-and-run crash happens every minute, with an average of 682,000 incidents reported annually since 2006.
Sadly, many of these crashes result in fatalities, particularly among vulnerable road users like bicyclists. States such as California, Florida, Colorado, and New York consistently report the highest numbers of bicycle-related deaths.
In the tragic Orange Cove crash that claimed the life of a bicyclist on Adams Avenue, the suspect, Rafaela Cruz, was later apprehended and arrested—highlighting that fleeing the scene does not absolve a driver of responsibility.
Candice Bond, a Managing Partner at Bond Legal and an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, emphasized the importance of swift legal action in such cases. “Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence,” Bond said.
She also noted that “road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined.” These thorough investigative efforts are critical to helping grieving families seek justice and financial compensation for their loss.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of the victim could pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“We understand just what families must go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free, no-obligation consultation.
(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).
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