The incident transpired around 8 p.m. on March 27 near Del Amo Boulevard and Locust Avenue.
Long Beach, CA – 65-year-old Francisco Fuentes died after he was struck by an SUV last week in Long Beach, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office reported.
The incident transpired around 8 p.m. on March 27 near Del Amo Boulevard and Locust Avenue.
According to the Long Beach Police Department, Fuentes ran into traffic lanes, where he was hit by a 2023 Hyundai Tucson heading west on Del Amo Boulevard.
Paramedics transported Fuentes to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The SUV driver stopped and cooperated with investigators. Speed, distracted driving, and impairment did not appear to be factors, police said.
Long Beach continues to face significant pedestrian safety challenges, ranking as the worst city in its peer group for total traffic victims according to the most recent OTS (California Office of Traffic Safety) data. In the latest full comparative cycle (2023–2024), Long Beach was ranked 1st out of 15 similarly sized cities for total fatal and injury victims. Specifically for pedestrian safety, the city recorded 339 victims, ranking 2nd worst in its group. Alarmingly, Long Beach also ranked 1st for pedestrian injuries involving children under age 15 and adults over age 65, highlighting an acute risk for the city’s most vulnerable residents. While 2025 city data showed a peak of 53 traffic deaths—the highest in over a decade—OTS figures emphasize that pedestrians and cyclists account for only 14% of collisions but a staggering 65% of all traffic deaths and serious injuries. Primary crash factors cited by OTS and local Safe Streets data include unsafe speed, DUI, and nighttime collisions, for which Long Beach also ranks 1st (worst) in its peer group.
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