61-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Santa Teresa Boulevard in Gilroy
61-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Santa Teresa Boulevard in Gilroy – July 15, 2025
Accident Overview:
A 61-year-old man has died after he was struck by a motorcycle in Gilroy on the evening of July 15, 2025. The fatal collision occurred near the intersection of Santa Teresa Boulevard and Ballybunion Drive shortly before 8:00 p.m. According to authorities, the motorcyclist remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The pedestrian was rushed to a local hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. The Gilroy Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is now handling the case to determine the cause of the tragic incident.
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Quick Facts
Details
Accident Type
Pedestrian vs. Motorcycle Collision
Location
Santa Teresa Blvd & Ballybunion Dr, Gilroy, CA
Date
July 15, 2025 ~8:00 PM
Parties Involved
1 Pedestrian, 1 Motorcycle
Injuries
1 motorcyclist (minor injuries)
Fatalities
1 pedestrian (61-year-old male)
Law Enforcement
Gilroy Police Department
Legal Note
The pedestrian’s family may file a wrongful death claim
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🚨 What Happened
According to the Gilroy Police Department, a 61-year-old man was walking near the intersection of Santa Teresa Boulevard and Ballybunion Drive when he was struck by a motorcycle. The collision occurred just before 8:00 p.m. as evening traffic was present in the area.
🧑⚕️ Medical Response
The pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
The motorcyclist sustained minor injuries and cooperated with the investigation at the scene.
🚔 Investigation Underway
The Gilroy Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team has taken over the case. They are analyzing the scene to determine factors such as speed, right-of-way, and visibility at the time of the crash. It is not yet known if drugs or alcohol played a role.
📊 Pedestrian & Motorcycle Crash Statistics in Santa Clara County
🚶♂️ Pedestrian fatalities are a serious concern in Santa Clara County. According to data from the California OTS, dozens of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured in the county each year, particularly during evening hours.
🏍️ Motorcycle collisions are disproportionately deadly. Santa Clara County recorded 277 motorcycle-related injuries in 2021, and statewide, motorcyclists are about 29 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants.
🌃 Many fatal pedestrian accidents occur at night or in low-light conditions on busy, multi-lane roads like Santa Teresa Boulevard, where drivers and motorcyclists may have difficulty seeing people crossing.
📉 Data shows that intersections are high-risk locations for both pedestrians and motorcyclists. A significant percentage of these accidents happen when one party fails to yield the right-of-way.
(Sources: California OTS, TIMS, NHTSA)
⚖️ What Legal Options Does the Pedestrian’s Family Have?
When a pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident, their surviving family members have the right to seek justice and financial compensation by filing a wrongful death claim. This legal action holds the at-fault party accountable for the negligence that led to the death.
🧑💼 Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
The spouse, domestic partner, children, or other dependents of the 61-year-old man can file a claim against the motorcyclist. A successful claim must prove that the motorcyclist’s negligence (such as speeding, distraction, or failure to yield) directly caused the fatal accident.
💵 Compensation in a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
Potential damages that the family can recover include:
Funeral and burial expenses
Medical bills incurred before death
Loss of the victim’s expected earnings and financial support
Loss of love, companionship, and moral support
Pain and suffering experienced by the family
🚨 What if the Motorcyclist Was Also Injured?
Even though the motorcyclist was injured, they can still be held legally liable for the pedestrian’s death. The investigation will focus on who had the right-of-way and whether the rider was operating their motorcycle safely and attentively.
💼 Past Case Results
⚖️ $9.5 Million Judgment – Pedestrian Killed in Crosswalk
In a Northern California case, the family of a man killed by a vehicle while walking his bike in a crosswalk was awarded a $9.5 million judgment. The case successfully argued that the state’s transportation department was 90% at fault for a dangerous intersection design, in addition to the driver being 10% at fault.
⚖️ $4 Million Settlement – Fatal Accident on Hazardous Roadway
The surviving children of a man killed in a motorcycle accident received a $4 million settlement. The case argued that the city and a construction company contributed to his death by creating hazardous road conditions and failing to provide sufficient warnings or safeguards for riders.
⚖️ $2 Million Verdict – Wrongful Death at a Dangerous Intersection
A jury awarded over $2 million to the family of a woman killed in a motorcycle accident at a notoriously dangerous intersection. The case proved that the state’s transportation department had prior knowledge of the intersection’s significant accident history but failed to make safety improvements until after the fatal crash.
👨⚖️ Fighting For You Is What We Do
When tragedy strikes, we don’t just take cases — we take care of families. If your loved one was taken too soon in a crash or you were seriously hurt, our team is here to fight for accountability, answers, and full financial recovery.
✔️ Trusted by Californians for more than 50 years
✔️ Over $1 billion recovered for injury victims and grieving families
✔️ No out-of-pocket fees unless we win your case
✔️ One of California’s most respected personal injury law firms
💡 Want answers fast? Our team will review your case for free—no pressure, no commitment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the family of the pedestrian have a case if he wasn’t in a crosswalk? Yes, they may still have a strong case. California law requires all drivers, including motorcyclists, to exercise “due care” to avoid colliding with pedestrians, regardless of whether the pedestrian is in a crosswalk. If the rider was speeding or distracted, they can still be held liable.
How is fault determined in a motorcycle-pedestrian accident? The Gilroy Police Department’s investigation will be a key piece of evidence. A law firm will expand on this by hiring accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash site, vehicle damage, and eyewitness accounts to determine the sequence of events and establish the motorcyclist’s liability.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in California? In California, the family of the victim generally has two years from the date of the person’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. It is critical to contact an attorney well before this deadline to preserve evidence and build a strong case.
Can the motorcyclist also file a claim for his injuries? The motorcyclist can file a claim, but it would likely be against the pedestrian’s estate. However, for such a claim to be successful, the motorcyclist would have to prove that the pedestrian was negligent and that this negligence caused the rider’s injuries.
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The post 61-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Santa Teresa Boulevard in Gilroy first appeared on Scranton Law Firm.