Rafael Delgado Killed in Richmond Hit-and-Run Accident
The 81-year-old man was struck near a crosswalk at 23rd Street and Hellings Avenue
Rafael Delgado, 81, of Richmond, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on 23rd Street near Hellings Avenue in Richmond, California, on Sunday, according to the Richmond Police Department.
The vehicle struck the man near a crosswalk just after 8 p.m. as he left a nearby restaurant, and the drivers fled the scene without rendering aid. Paramedics responded, but Delgado died from blunt force injuries. Traffic investigators are reviewing surveillance video from nearby businesses to identify the suspect vehicle. No description of the car or driver has been released.
Family members and the community plan to hold a vigil at the intersection on Friday evening.
The crash remains under investigation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,758 people died in U.S. traffic crashes involving hit-and-run drivers in 2024.
The sudden loss of a family member in a hit-and-run leaves relatives grappling with deep grief and unanswered questions. While police search for the driver who fled the 23rd Street scene, independent investigations often run concurrently to preserve perishable evidence.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Hit-and-run collisions often unfold within seconds, yet uncovering answers afterward can take investigators time. Choosing to drive away instead of stopping creates real challenges for grieving relatives searching for information."
"An attorney frequently becomes involved early, working with law enforcement to gather nearby surveillance footage, examine debris left behind, and piece together fragmented details before evidence becomes impossible to recover," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the state recorded 505 hit-and-run deaths in 2022, highlighting a persistent danger on local roadways.
When a suspect is identified, or through uninsured drivers coverage if they are not, families may have avenues for civil accountability.
How does uninsured drivers coverage apply in Richmond hit-and-runs?
In cases where a hit-and-run driver remains unidentified, victims' families may still seek compensation through their own auto insurance policies. Uninsured drivers (UM) coverage can often be use to cover funeral expenses, loss of income, and other damages resulting from the fatal pedestrian accident.
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.
"Surveillance video from nearby businesses frequently offers vital clues following fatal hit and run collisions. Investigators systematically gather security footage, traffic camera recordings, and license plate reader data along escape routes," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "A legal team supports affected families by securing digital media, communicating with law enforcement, and reviewing insurance options."