Julio Figeuroa Killed in Lamont Hit-and-Run Accident
The 26-year-old was struck by an unknown vehicle that fled the scene on Di Giorgio Road
Julio Armando Figeuroa, 26, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Di Giorgio Road near May Street in Lamont late Sunday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
An unidentified vehicle traveling on the right shoulder struck Figeuroa as he walked westbound along the edge of the road at around 11:58 p.m. The driver fled the scene without stopping or rendering aid. Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the crash site.
Investigators have not released a description of the suspect vehicle. police have not said if alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Bakersfield Area office.
Details regarding community memorials or fundraisers have not yet been announced.
Families of victims like Figeuroa are often left searching for answers when a driver flees the scene of a fatal collision.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "When a vehicle flees after a violent collision, what remains is often scattered and incomplete, making the picture hard to see clearly at first. Small details carry enormous weight later, especially once specialists compare debris patterns against damage reports and roadway markings."
"Legal counsel brought in early can gather scattered pieces quickly, working with experts to build a usable account," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What legal options exist for hit-and-run victims?
When a driver flees, the victim's family may face complex insurance hurdles, including navigating uninsured drivers coverage.
How common are pedestrian death in California?
The crash adds to a rising toll across the state. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the state recorded 1,106 pedestrian fatalities in 2023.
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.
"Crash reconstruction depends heavily on precise measurements taken at the scene within hours of a fatal collision," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal teams very often bring in independent specialists early so scene evidence receives thorough documentation before roadway conditions begin changing quite significantly afterward."