Woman crossing in crosswalk struck by westbound vehicle near Howard Avenue
January 23, 2026 | Nice, CA
A tragic pedestrian accident in Nice claimed the life of 23-year-old Thalia Inez Ugaz from Stockton. The incident unfolded along Highway 29 west of Howard Avenue around 7:30 p.m. on a Friday.
Thalia Inez Ugaz, 23, of Stockton, died after a Honda Ridgeline struck her while she crossed Highway 29 in a crosswalk at Howard in Nice.
What Happened in the Crash?
Authorities from the California Highway Patrol reported that Ugaz was crossing the highway from south to north within a marked crosswalk at Howard Avenue. A westbound gray 2012 Honda Ridgeline, driven by a 64-year-old resident of Clearlake, struck her. Ugaz sustained fatal injuries and passed away at the scene. The driver remained on site following the collision.
- Victim: Thalia Inez Ugaz, 23, Stockton resident
- Location: Highway 29 west of Howard Avenue, Nice, CA
- Time: Approximately 7:30 p.m., Friday
- Vehicle Involved: Gray 2012 Honda Ridgeline, westbound
- Driver: 64-year-old from Clearlake
- Agency: California Highway Patrol
- Outcome: Fatal pedestrian injuries, and investigation ongoing
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Like This Occur?
Pedestrian safety remains a critical concern on U.S. roadways, where even those using crosswalks face significant risks. Drivers must yield to pedestrians, yet thousands lose their lives annually in such incidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian fatalities totaled 7,314 in 2023, a 3.7% decrease from 2022 but 14% above the 2019 pre-pandemic figure.
Year |
Pedestrian Fatalities |
Change from Previous Year |
|---|
2019 |
6,424 |
Not Available |
2022 |
7,589 |
+18% from 2019 |
2023 |
7,314 |
-3.7% from 2022 |
Factors contributing to these crashes often include road conditions, signage, lighting, and driver attentiveness. Thorough investigations are essential to identify causes and prevent future tragedies.
Legal Insights on Pedestrian Crashes
National legal analysts emphasize the importance of independent reviews in pedestrian accident cases to support affected families.
“In most instances, pedestrians possess the right of way when crossing an intersection or a street regardless of if they are in a marked crosswalk,” said Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal. “It’s imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned lawyer to help protect the rights of the victim’s family in cases such as this. 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.”
Key takeaways from analyst perspectives:
- Pedestrians generally have the right of way in crosswalks and intersections.
- Independent investigations can uncover contributing factors like poor lighting or road design.
- Families may pursue claims for loss of income, companionship, emotional distress, and funeral costs.
- Attorneys advocate against lowball insurance settlements to ensure fair compensation.
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “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.”
The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this Highway 29 crash in Nice, focusing on pedestrian safety and driver responsibility.
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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).