An 80-year-old woman died after being struck by a car while crossing a shopping center driveway in front of a Costco on Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa. The crash happened around 12:10 p.m. on May 13 near Baltimore Drive, according to La Mesa police. Emergency crews found the woman unconscious and transported her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Authorities said the driver stopped and cooperated at the scene. Police indicated that drugs and alcohol did not appear to play a role. The fatal pedestrian collision is still under investigation.
Accident News Report
An 80-year-old woman was struck and killed by a vehicle Wednesday afternoon as she crossed a driveway outside a shopping center on Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, authorities said.
La Mesa police reported that the collision occurred around 12:10 p.m. on May 13 in front of a Costco store in the 8100 block of Fletcher Parkway near Baltimore Drive. The woman was walking across the driveway of the shopping center when a car pulling out of the driveway hit her.
Firefighters and paramedics arrived to find the woman unconscious. She was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to officials. Her identity has not yet been released, pending notification of her family.
Police said the driver stopped and remained at the scene. Investigators noted that drugs and alcohol did not appear to be factors in the crash.
The incident remains under investigation.
Important Details
May 13, around 12:10 p.m.
Driveway in front of Costco, 8100 block of Fletcher Parkway near Baltimore Drive, La Mesa, California
Pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a shopping center driveway
80-year-old woman, name not yet released
Woman was walking across the driveway when a car pulling out of the driveway hit her
Victim found unconscious, transported to hospital, pronounced dead
Driver stopped and remained at the scene
Drugs and alcohol did not appear to be contributing factors, according to police
La Mesa police, firefighters, and paramedics responded
Crash remains under investigation
What California law says after a car accident
Who may bring a wrongful death claim in California
When a collision results in death, California law allows specific family members to bring a wrongful death claim. The categories are defined by statute and generally include a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and, where there is no surviving spouse or issue, others who would be entitled to the property of the person who died. Certain dependents, including a putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents who were financially dependent, may also qualify.
A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own losses, including financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of the companionship, guidance, and society the person provided.
A separate claim, called a survival action, covers losses the person themselves sustained before death, such as medical expenses and lost earnings. California law changed here. For survival actions filed on or after January 1, 2026, damages for the decedent’s own pain, suffering, or disfigurement are no longer recoverable. Cases filed before that date are not affected, and different rules can apply in elder abuse matters.
Eligibility depends on family circumstances, filing deadlines are strict, and the damages available depend in part on when a case is filed.
Reporting requirements after a California collision
California imposes reporting duties on drivers that are separate from any insurance claim.
A report must be filed with the DMV on form SR-1 within ten days of a collision that caused any injury, any death, or more than one thousand dollars in property damage to any one person. This duty applies regardless of fault, applies even when police responded and wrote their own report, and is not satisfied by notifying an insurance company. With current repair costs, most collisions that involve a body shop meet the damage threshold.
A separate rule covers collisions causing injury or death. The driver must make a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police department where the collision happened in a city, within twenty four hours. The statute states this duty for every injury or fatal collision. In practice, where officers responded and completed a report at the scene, that report generally satisfies the agency’s need, but a driver who assumes this without confirming it is relying on practice rather than on the text of the law.
Missing the DMV deadline can lead to suspension of driving privileges, an outcome unrelated to who caused the collision.
Information for Families After a Fatal Collision
Losing a family member in a collision raises urgent legal questions, often long before anyone feels ready to ask them. These guides set out the basics, with no obligation attached.
- California wrongful death attorney: who may file, the deadlines that apply, and what a claim covers
- Los Angeles car accident lawyer: fault, insurance offers, and what a claim is worth
- All practice areas
Injured in This Accident? Get Trusted Legal Guidance
After an accident, the right information can make a meaningful difference. If you or a loved one was hurt, The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. can help you understand your rights, evaluate your options, and determine whether legal action may be available.
Speak with our legal team today and get clear guidance before making important decisions.