Simi Valley Police target speeding and failure to yield as pedestrian deaths mount statewide.
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) - A pedestrian died last month after being struck by a vehicle in a 7-Eleven parking lot in Simi Valley. It's part of a statewide pattern that claimed 1,090 lives on foot in 2024, according to Simi Valley Police Department, which is now putting drivers on notice with an enforcement operation aimed at the behaviors most likely to put pedestrians at risk.
The fatal hit-and-run happened at 1369 Erringer Road on Aug. 31 at 4:15 p.m. SVPD said officers arrived to find the pedestrian dead at the scene. They located the vehicle nearby and arrested the driver, a Simi Valley resident, without incident. He was booked into Ventura County Jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run resulting in death.
Another fatal pedestrian collision happened on June 29, when SVPD responded to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision in the area of 2091-A Madera Road at approximately 2:30 p.m. Officers found a 79-year-old woman from Agoura Hills, who had been walking on the sidewalk in front of a business when she was struck by a vehicle that left its travel lane in the parking lot. She suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to SVPD, the driver, a Thousand Oaks resident, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the hospital along with one of three juvenile occupants in the vehicle, who suffered minor injuries.
Pedestrian deaths made up 28 percent of all traffic fatalities in California last year. Simi Valley Police are marking September as Pedestrian Safety Month by focusing enforcement on the driving behaviors behind those deaths: speeding, illegal turns, failure to yield and running stop signs or signals.
"Everyone, regardless of how they travel, deserves to arrive at their destination safely," said SVPD Sgt. Josh McAlister. "Drivers play a critical role in keeping people walking safe. By staying focused and slowing down, especially in areas where there are more people walking, we can help prevent crashes and put safety first on every trip."
The department said it would conduct a traffic safety operation on Sept. 9 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. targeting those violations. Officers say speed is a major factor in pedestrian injury severity. People walking have none of the protections drivers and passengers rely on. Higher speeds mean worse outcomes when a car strikes someone on foot.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also issued guidance for pedestrians. The agency recommends using sidewalks wherever possible. Where there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and stay as far from the road as possible. Cross at crosswalks or intersections, not mid-block. Drivers expect to see pedestrians at marked crossings. Before stepping into the street, look in all directions for vehicles, including those turning. If no crosswalk is available, find a well-lit spot with a clear view of traffic.
Parking lots carry their own risks. Vehicles may be turning or backing out quickly. Watch for backup lights and listen for engine noise. The 7-Eleven lot on Erringer Road is a reminder that pedestrians are vulnerable even off the main road.
Simi Valley Police say the enforcement operation is part of a broader effort to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries. The department urges drivers to follow posted speed limits and stay alert in areas where people are walking.
