Modesto, CA — The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office identified 59-year-old Modesto man Robert Frost as the person who died Tuesday evening, December 10, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle while lying in the roadway, according to The Modesto Bee.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the collision occurred around 6:30 PM on South Ninth Street, just south of River Road.
Authorities stated that a 47-year-old woman driving a Fiat sedan was traveling southbound when her vehicle struck Frost, who was lying in the left lane. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
The driver, whose name has not been released, was uninjured and remained at the site of the collision to cooperate with investigators. CHP confirmed there was no indication that the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office identified Frost but did not provide details on why he was lying in the roadway before the incident. Investigators are working to determine whether the collision directly caused his death or if other factors were involved.
Southbound Ninth Street was temporarily closed at River Road as CHP officers conducted their investigation. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as if they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is held only partially liable in a pedestrian accident. Should that be the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, feel free to contact Maison Law for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
