The crash happened at 10 p.m. Thursday, May 18, on Avenue L just west of 32nd Street West, Nagelmann said.
The family was crossing outside a crosswalk and the boy had gone ahead while the rest of his family members waited on a median to cross Avenue L, Nagelmann said.
The deceased was identified as 15-year-old Adrian Smith of Lancaster, coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter said Friday morning.
UPDATE: The driver may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision, according to a news release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station. Read it below:
“Traffic investigators from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station are investigating the circumstances of a vehicle vs. pedestrian, fatal traffic collision which occurred on Avenue L west of 32nd Street West in the city of Lancaster.
Preliminary information gathered at the scene revealed the driver of a 2006 Toyota Camry was travelling eastbound on Avenue L at an unknown speed approaching the intersection of 32nd Street West. A male juvenile pedestrian along with two other family members were crossing Avenue L southbound and the male juvenile was struck by the vehicle. The pedestrian was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Preliminary information indicates the driver of the Toyota Camry may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. He sustained significant injuries as a result of his vehicle rolling over.
Lancaster Station investigators are asking that if anyone has information regarding this collision, to please contact the Lancaster Station traffic investigators. Investigators are particularly interested in contacting any motorists who may have stopped for the pedestrians prior to the collision.”
UPDATE: Adrian’s family established a GoFundMe page in hopes of raising money for funeral expenses. To donate to this cause, visit www.gofundme.com/Adrian-smith-funeral.
Someone says
Hey if your a prostitute or what ever you can have a safe light at Sierra Hwy and what would be Ave K 8. All to cross over to the sidewalk running next to the railroad tracks. But screw the areas that need them. I recall about 12years ago a guy struck and killed at the same spot. That area is highly travelled by both pedestrians and cars. And is dark. That area needs something as does 30th west and about J12 near the college.
Matt says
Without pointing blame on anyone, jaywalking is a huge problem in this town. People walk across the street and EXPECT people to stop. I was just a kid when I lived in Texas, and I’m sure the laws have changed, but back then, if u stepped outside of th crosswalk and got hot by a car, it was the pedestrians fault. Of course u we’re expected to stop in a car. But let’s be real here, what’s easier to stop, someone stepping off of th curb, or a car doing 50mph. But again, they also allowed open alcoholic containers and gun racks back then. That being said, what a horrible thing to happen to a family. I’m sure being 15, he just ran ahead of th m and turned around and waited. My heart goes out to them. May he rest in peace.
Mars says
Did you not read??? 2 cars were stopped letting the family cross the street…He the driver was under the influence period
Matt says
Look, I apologize if I offended anyone. Was not my intent. I was just conveying how jaywalking was when I was a kid. Again, that being said, the fact that they caused traffic to stop makes the jaywalking even more true. It’s a shame what happened to that poor kid at only 15. The driver may have been impaired in this case, but there are cases where the driver is not and this happens. If u would like to believe I am wrong that’s fine, but the point is a kid is dead because of it. I would never cross a busy street with my kids like that. Especially Avenue L.
Niecy says
I’m sorry why is the focused on the deceased 15-year-old who was “standing by a fence” when he was struck and killed as opposed to the inattentive driver who obviously wasn’t paying attention or was “possibly under the influence” otherwise he would have seen TWO cars stopped in the street irregardless of the reason why they were stopped?
Mike White says
I’ve noticed a certain segment of the population likes to cross the street not at the intersection where there’s a light but about 10-20 feet before (or after) the light. Or they’ll just wander out into traffic on busy multi-lane roads where the speed limit is 50 or 60 mph.
Not sure what the thinking is behind this, but it sure is stupid. If you’re jaywalking at night and expect cars to stop for you, you’re likely to get hit. They probably won’t see you, or could be drunk, high, or distracted. If you’re jaywalking on Ave L, where cars routinely go 60+ mph, at 10 o’clock at night, guess what – you’re likely to end up with your very own GoFundMe page!
Susan says
I am so sorry for your loss. I place no blame on the victim or his family. The driver was clearly driving unsafely if not impaired. But I see so much unsafe driving, running red lights all the time, jay walking everywhere, texting and driving etc. Also drivers don’t want to stop and let pedestrians cross the whole way the turn right next to kids walking. Who is anyone to think wherever they are going is more important than human life. Slow down, pay attention, stop for pedestrians, use crosswalks. And please police start ticketing these people for endangering lives!!
Randi Cloud says
Im very sad to find out what all the commotion was over last night ….Truley I wish your family someway to feel. Better about the tragic loss you all are suffering..It really dosent matter where it happend…All that matters is that its happened and A wonderful young man is gone….How some people can add insult to injury is just beyond me …I hope somthing can provide your family comfort in this dark time…
A Resident says
I maybe wrong but I was always told if there is no crosswalk and you cross to or from a corner it is not Jay walking.
Either way this is horrible and and I send My Love and Prayers to the Smith Family.
jaywalking kills says
they were NOT crossing corner to corner
Tim Scott says
Well, since 32nd and L is a T intersection that’s certainly true…but doesn’t mean that they weren’t at the intersection. What’s your point here, exactly?
AVSUX says
An all around terrible situation. But, MAY have been under the influence doesn’t mean under the influence. That’s called cop-speak.
Just Saying says
Is HBD “Had Been Drinking”, the term you were looking for? Sometimes it is, what it is.
Jasmine says
In this case crossing the street not in a crosswalk is dangerous. Unfortunately he is not the first to cross this busy, dangerous street at the same place as others have and lost their lives also. I live right there and i cringe whenever i see people cross at the same place it happens every day. So unfortunate. My heart goes out to thr family.
Flaw3d says
When he hit by the car he was standing on the sidewalk up by the fence.
jaywalking kills says
yes he was by the fence! However, he jaywalked to get there. The other cars that stopped, were stopped because the rest of his family was jaywalking when it wasn’t safe or legal to do so. If the driver that hit him was DUI, he deserves a special place in hell. The entire incident could have been prevented if the family was not jaywalking causing other drivers to have to abruptly stop in the middle of a street with a 50mph speed limit.
Christy says
Condolences to the family. A young man’s life has been cut short too soon! Avenue L is a busy Street where most traffic travels faster then the posted speed limit. In my opinion anytime of day is risky to cross not using a crosswalk. There have been many pedestrian vs. vehicle accidents through the years where the pedestrian was crossing in a designated crosswalk during daylight and when traffic stopped, 1 car did not & another young life was taken (Lanc. Blvd just West of 10th West) Everyone it seems is always in such a hurry in the AV, many reckless/careless drivers behind the wheel! Slow down!! Respect our Community! We all live here, let’s strive to make a effort to care for others, be aware, take our time to where we are going & get there safely. People are too self absorbed & preoccupied. Knocking back a few brews and getting behind a wheel to hurry to get to the next unimportant place is more important then someones life. Now a family lost their son and all involved life is forever changed and not for the better. Very sad.
May19 says
If I were to Jay walk I rather wait for ALL the car’s to pass than for the first lane of car’s closest to me to stop and let me pass, because the next lane doesn’t always know that they are letting pedestrians cross and they zoom right by the first lane that stopped for you. That’s when I wave them to keep moving past me.. I rather wait for ALL lanes to be clear than for a car to stop for me and wave me across the street, they don’t know if the next lane of car’s is going to stop, people becareful crossing ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. RIP Adrian, condolences to the family.
not a crosswalk, not an intersection says
The collision took place WEST OF 32ND, NOT at an intersection and NOT in an unmarked crosswalk. No the boy was not jay walking at the time of impact, but he had been, ahead of his family, who the 2 other vehicles had stopped for. Luckily those drivers saw them. I know I would be devastated had this been my son.
Tm says
So inconsiderate how people comment about Jay walking while a family lost their relative…
RiP , sorry for your loss…… doesn’t matter driver was at fault for being under the influence… pedestrians have the right no matter what ..
Jason says
From the article, “The family was crossing outside a crosswalk and the boy had gone ahead while the rest of his family members waited on a median to cross Avenue L, Nagelmann said.”
Yes he was, people jaywalk all the time to get to the convenience stores across from the housing track on that street. They need to put a light and crosswalk there. I recommend a light because idiots won’t walk another 500 hundred feet to cross at L and 30th. Tragic loss of life for the 10pm chip run.
tired of keyboard warriors says
they dont need a light there… people need to stop being lazy!
ron says
You dumyy he wasn’t Jay walking. Which hole you come out of
TSparky says
“The family was crossing outside a crosswalk”. Also know as Jaywalking.
Tim Scott says
If you are crossing at an intersection where no crosswalk is provided you aren’t jaywalking.
Jason says
Going off the info provided and knowing that area well, they most likely werent at an intersection.
Shane Falco says
There isn’t generally an island in the middle of an intersection…cars would slam into them.
Where they crossed was a couple hundred feet from a crosswalk and it proved fatal.
Just Saying says
There is no crosswalk at 32nd W. and L. according to Google Map. The nearest crosswalk is 1200 feet to the East at 30th W. Being 32nd is a “T” intersection, pedestrians can cross, but do not have Right-of-way. Signals are hard to get pushed through, but a crosswalk with buttons and lights might have a chance.
Ormiga says
Right.
Jay says
The boy was standing which means he had cross the street already. The car swerved to get around the cars stopped on the street and hit the person.
YaNo says
STOP Jay walking!
Kristoph says
… boy, you people are drop dead stupid. The pedestrian always (ALWAYS) has, the right-of-way (e.g., key emphasis on the word, always) –
Hayley says
Not to be rude or anything but if a pedestrian is crossing in an unmarked crosswalk cars don’t have to let them cross unless they are already out in the street but if a pedestrian is crossing illegally there are very high chances of them getting hit because drivers don’t see them.
RIP and my condolences to the family of this young man.
Matt says
No. He is being right.
StopPerpetuatingTheLie says
Well, talk about drop dead stupid! It’s people like you that perpetuate the falsehood that pedestrians “always” have the right-of-way. They don’t! From the California Vehicle Code:
“21954. (a) Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard.”
This may be beyond your reading comprehension, so I’ll summarize: If a pedestrian is NOT in a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) they do NOT have the right-of-way.
John says
My comment takes issue with the statement, “pedestrians always have the right of way. I am not commenting about the actions of parties involved in this tragic incident. My post is to clarify the issue of whether or not pedestrians always have the right of way.
Call it a myth, urban legend or plain old faulty ‘jail-house lawyering’, but pedestrians do not, I repeat, do NOT always have the right-of-way.
If a pedestrian is crossing a roadway where there is no intersection or crosswalk, the responsibility is on the pedestrian. CVC 21954(a) reads, “Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard.”
Do a little research (it really isn’t too difficult, ever hear the term, “Google it”) and you will find articles, essays, case law and statutes that specifically state that pedestrians do not ALWAYS have the right of way. It is patently false to say that pedestrians always have the right of way. If pedestrians always had the right of way, then there would be no basis for law enforcement officers issue citations for jaywalking. If peds always had the right of way, then they could just disregard traffic signals and cross on red lights or cross highways at any location other than designated crossings or intersections (i.e. Ave “D”, Pearblossom Hwy) where they unreasonably and dangerously impede traffic causing motorists to suddenly slow down or abruptly stop at highway speeds where motorist do expect pedestrians to cross; that is why there are designated crosswalks and intersections where pedestrians do have the right away, but that right away is not absolute, where a pedestrian cannot just step off a curb without using reasonable caution and expect a motorist to yield instantaneously.
Clyde Merrick says
Thank you. Nicely done. I also notice that dumb-dumb doesn’t want to eat any crow this evening. What a surprise…
tired of keyboard warriors says
Kristoph…. pedestrians DO have the responsibility to cross when it it safe, in a cross walk, whether it be marked or unmarked. Where they crossed was NOT either of those, and was also done when it wasn’t safe or smart. Before calling people dumber than dumb, you should take a look at your self. Pedestrians DO NOT always have the right of way.