A pre-dawn attempt to cross Pacific Coast Highway turned fatal early Wednesday in Long Beach’s Washington neighborhood, when a driver struck a woman at Pacific Avenue, authorities said. The collision happened at about 4:50 a.m. The woman was taken to a hospital, where she later died. Officials have not released her name or age, pending notification of her family. Police said the driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with officers, and investigators do not believe distraction, impairment or excessive speed played a role.
Police details and investigation
According to the Long Beach Post, the vehicle involved was a 2019 Chevrolet sedan traveling westbound through a green light when it hit the woman as she crossed southbound in the east crosswalk. Collision Investigation detectives responded to the scene, collecting evidence and speaking with witnesses as they tried to reconstruct the moments leading up to the impact. Authorities say the driver remained on site and continued to cooperate with investigators as the case moves forward.
Long Beach's worsening traffic toll
The death adds to a grim trend on Long Beach streets. The city recorded 53 fatal traffic collisions in 2025, the most in more than a decade, according to LAist. City leaders have adopted a Vision Zero-style Safe Streets approach and are pushing tools like automated speed enforcement and corridor redesigns in an effort to reverse the rise in deadly crashes, even as the numbers keep moving in the wrong direction.
Neighbors and safety plans
The Long Beach Post reports this is the city’s 25th traffic-related fatality of the year and its 21st fatal traffic collision, figures that residents say reinforce long-standing calls for faster safety improvements. The city’s Elevate 28 investment plan identifies Pacific Avenue corridor upgrades, including new crossings and protected bike facilities near the PCH intersection, as priorities, according to the city’s project pages (Elevate 28).
Long Beach police are asking anyone with information about the collision to contact the department’s Collision Investigation Unit or submit a tip through the agency’s online portal, as outlined on the Long Beach Police Department website. Detectives said they are reviewing video footage and witness accounts as the investigation continues.
