Thongkhan Phanthavong fatally struck in pedestrian collision along Shields Avenue, west of Dewolf Avenue in Fresno.
FRESNO, CA, (June 23, 2025) - A pedestrian, 45-year-old Thongkhan Phanthavong, was fatally struck Monday night in Fresno County.
Thongkhan Phanthavong, 45, was fatally struck by a vehicle in Fresno County Monday night, police report.
At around 9:45 p.m., a Toyota Tundra traveling east on Shields Avenue, west of Dewolf Avenue, collided with Phanthavong, who was on the roadway.
The victim died at the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol. The driver stayed at the crash site.
The investigation is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
In recent years, the rise in sales of larger vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks has contributed to an increase in pedestrian fatalities, as collisions with heavier vehicles tend to cause more severe injuries.
Fresno’s Vision Zero data shows about 500 fatal or serious crashes occurred from 2018 to 2022, with 127 pedestrians killed by cars.
“In most cases, pedestrians have the right of way when crossing intersections or streets, whether or not they’re in marked crosswalks,” said Candice Bond, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal, emphasized the importance of an independent investigation by a skilled lawyer to protect the rights of victims’ families in such cases.
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 of Thongkhan Phanthavong 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,” Bond explained.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout far below the case’s true value,” Bond noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure 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).