Manuel Hernandez Nolasco Killed in Selma e-bike crash
The 15-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Highland and Rose avenues
Manuel Uriel Hernandez Nolasco, 15, of Selma, was killed in an e-bike crash at Highland and Rose avenues in Selma, California, on June 16, according to police.
The afternoon collision occurred as the teenager attempted to cross the busy intersection on an electric bike. A passenger vehicle struck the e-bike, leaving the rider with critical injuries.
Paramedics took Nolasco to a local hospital. He later died from his injuries.
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Police said there was no indication of malice or impairment.
Highland Avenue serves as a major connector between North Fresno and Hanford. City officials are discussing potential improvements to the intersection to accommodate rapid community growth.
The collision remains under investigation.
The loss of a teenager in a traffic collision deeply impacts a community, leaving families searching for understanding. While the exact sequence of events remains under review, investigators routinely examine intersection design, vehicle speeds, and right-of-way dynamics.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Intersections concentrate risk for e-bike riders in ways open roadways simply do not. Turning vehicles, crossing pedestrians, signal timing, and limited sightlines all converge in one small space."
"When a fatal collision occurs at an intersection, attorneys working on behalf of surviving families will pursue signal data, traffic-camera recordings, and witness statements to piece together the full sequence of events," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 145 bicyclists were killed in motor-vehicle traffic collisions statewide in 2023.
What role does road design play in the Highland Avenue collision?
Selma police noted that the intersection may need expansion to handle rapid community growth. Municipalities have a duty to maintain safe roadways, and dangerous conditions can contribute to severe collisions.
In bicycle accidents such as this, independent investigations often evaluate whether infrastructure gaps, such as inadequate crosswalks or poor visibility, played a role in the outcome.
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.
"Insurance carriers move quickly after a fatal crash, and early settlement offers rarely reflect what surviving relatives are owed. Serving as an advocate, an attorney reviews each offer carefully, ensuring families do not accept terms falling short of fair compensation," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.