A man in his 30s was left in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle in central Fresno before 3 a.m. Monday, and police say they believe the driver acted intentionally. The crash happened at Belmont and Abby, an intersection that has now seen multiple severe pedestrian collisions in recent years.
Driver May Have Targeted Victim, Police Say
According to ABC30, Fresno police have not said what led up to the crash but believe the driver intentionally struck the man. The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Investigators have not released information about the suspected vehicle involved, and the station reports that police are urging drivers to avoid the area around Belmont and Abby while the investigation continues.
If police ultimately confirm the driver's intent, the case could shift from a routine traffic investigation into a felony matter. Under California Penal Code Section 245(a)(1), using a vehicle to intentionally strike or attempt to strike someone can be charged as assault with a deadly weapon, carrying up to four years in state prison and a $10,000 fine, according to Kann Law Office. Separately, if the driver fled the scene, California Vehicle Code Section 20001 makes failing to stop and render aid after an injury collision a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and fines between $1,000 and $10,000, as Hoodline has previously reported.
A Dangerous Corner With a Troubled History
This is not the first time Belmont and Abby has been the site of a devastating pedestrian collision. In October 2024, 64-year-old Ernest Yetter died after being struck by a vehicle in an alley near the same intersection, according to GV Wire. The area has also been mentioned in a report from i Accident Lawyer.
The pattern at this single intersection mirrors broader citywide pedestrian-safety concerns. The city's own Systemic Local Roadway Safety Plan found that pedestrians are involved in just 6 percent of all traffic collisions citywide but account for 38 percent of fatal and severe-injury crashes.
City Data Points to Crosswalk Gaps
That same roadway safety plan addresses pedestrian safety in Fresno. Statewide, Torem & Associates compiled California Office of Traffic Safety data on pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
City leaders have taken some steps to address dangerous driving more broadly. In June, the Fresno City Council voted to approve a 36-month pilot program reintroducing automated red-light enforcement cameras at high-risk intersections citywide, according to ABC30 Action News. It remains unclear whether Belmont and Abby is among the intersections slated for the new camera enforcement.
Fresno police have not released details on a suspect or the vehicle involved in Monday's crash, and the victim's condition has not been updated beyond the initial critical status reported at the hospital. The investigation remains active at the scene near Belmont and Abby.
