Tragedy Strikes: Teen on Scooter Killed in Long Beach Hit-and-Run

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Teen’s Life Cut Short in Long Beach Accident

In a heartbreaking incident over the weekend, a 17-year-old boy lost his life in Long Beach, California, after being struck by a suspected drunk driver. The teen, Brandon Cabrera, was riding his scooter near Orange Avenue and South Street when the tragedy occurred.

“He did not deserve to die like this,” said Aniyah Diaz, a close friend who was with Brandon at the time. “We had just left a store, and in a split second, a car sped by and took his life.”

The driver, identified as 35-year-old Karen Mativa from Compton, allegedly hit Brandon and then crashed into an apartment building before fleeing the scene. She later returned and was taken into custody by police. Mativa now faces charges of hit-and-run and driving under the influence.

Brandon’s family and friends are grappling with the sudden loss. “You hurt my family,” Diaz expressed emotionally. “Everybody is devastated because of her decision to drink and drive.”

Brandon, who moved to Southern California from Honduras a few years ago, was known as a caring young man. Despite a challenging upbringing, he was attending school and working in construction to support his family.

“We lost a family member because of her,” said Britney Chacon, Brandon’s cousin. “It’s not okay. She needs to face the consequences.”

A makeshift memorial has been set up at the crash site, where mourners gather to pay their respects. The family is seeking help with funeral expenses through donations on Cash App ($BritneyyOfficial) and Zelle (562-388-2663). A GoFundMe page has also been established.

For those affected by similar tragedies, the Law Offices of Burg & Brock offer legal support and guidance in personal injury cases.

 

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.