Ivan Garza Killed in Delano Pedestrian Accident
The 25-year-old former Sacramento State football player was struck by a vehicle while crossing the roadway
Ivan Garza, 25, of Delano, was killed in a pedestrian crash on Glenwood Street in Delano, California, early Wednesday, according to the Delano Police Department.
The collision occurred as a 32-year-old woman driving a vehicle struck the man while he was crossing the road. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with officers. Garza died at the hospital. Paramedics initially transported him with serious injuries before he succumbed to the trauma.
Investigators have not yet determined if drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision. The department is asking anyone with information to contact the station.
The community is mourning the former offensive lineman. He played football at Sacramento State from 2021 to 2023 and previously helped lead Robert F. Kennedy High School to a Central Section Division 5 championship.
Garza's family has established a GoFundMe page to support memorial expenses.
The sudden loss of a beloved community figure and athlete leaves families navigating deep grief and complex legal questions. While the Delano community honors Garza's legacy on the football field, investigators are working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal collision.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Every fatal crash leaves behind evidence that fades fast, whether that means a damaged vehicle or a long stretch of road worth a closer look."
"Legal counsel moves quickly to preserve what matters, working alongside independent experts to understand exactly what actually happened. That early effort often protects surviving relatives from insurance adjusters eager to close a claim before anyone fully understands the complete picture," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,080 pedestrian death occurred nationwide in 2024, highlighting the severe risks pedestrians face on roadways.
What happens next in the Glenwood Street investigation?
Law enforcement will examine skid marks, vehicle damage, and lighting conditions along Glenwood Street. In pedestrian accidents such as this, independent investigations often run parallel to police efforts to establish liability.
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.
"Funeral expenses arrive almost immediately after a fatal crash, often before grieving families have processed what occurred. A legal team calculates these costs alongside lost income and earning potential, building a financial picture that reflects the true scope of hardship," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.