A family is mourning the death of Carlos Gonzalez, a 38-year-old man struck and killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian crash along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Torrance over Easter weekend. The incident occurred Saturday evening near Ocean Avenue, an area that community members say has long been dangerous for pedestrians.
According to police and witness accounts, Gonzalez was crossing PCH when he was struck by multiple vehicles. The first driver fled the scene. A second driver remained and cooperated with investigators, but Gonzalez had already suffered fatal injuries. He was dragged into a nearby parking lot, according to his girlfriend, Brittney, who spoke with local media.
The intersection where the crash occurred lacks formal crosswalks, and as reporters filmed the area for local news, pedestrians were seen darting across the road without the aid of traffic signals or signage—highlighting longstanding concerns about pedestrian safety in that corridor.
Authorities confirmed that surveillance footage exists but described it as poor quality, leaving investigators with few leads to identify the fleeing driver. Loved ones gathered at the site Wednesday night to light candles and remember Gonzalez, who was described as loving, driven, and deeply family-oriented. Known affectionately as “Osito,” or “the bear,” Gonzalez had recently completed a job-related certification and was planning to start a family.
The Torrance Police Department continues to investigate the case and urges anyone with information to come forward.
Commentary from a Gosuits Wrongful Death Attorney
The tragic death of Carlos Gonzalez raises serious legal and moral questions—not only about the responsibility of the driver who fled the scene, but also about the conditions that made such a crash possible.
In California, when someone is killed as a result of another party’s negligence or illegal actions, their surviving family members may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim. In this case, the act of fleeing the scene alone may constitute grounds for civil liability, even if identifying the at-fault driver proves difficult.
But wrongful death doesn’t stop at identifying a driver. Families can also explore whether infrastructure or government inaction contributed to the death. If a city fails to provide marked crosswalks, warning signage, or basic pedestrian protections in areas with known foot traffic, that lack of safety measures can become part of the legal conversation—particularly when a pattern of preventable incidents exists.
These cases are not about placing blame for its own sake—they’re about answering the question: Was this death avoidable? When the answer is yes, the legal system allows surviving loved ones to seek accountability, not only for financial losses but for the lasting emotional and personal impact that comes with losing a spouse, partner, sibling, or child.
Wrongful death claims in California allow for the recovery of funeral expenses, lost future income, and the emotional loss of love, care, and companionship. While no legal outcome can replace the life lost, a successful claim can help provide financial stability and, in some cases, push for changes that protect others from similar harm.
Time is also a factor. Video surveillance may be lost, eyewitnesses may forget key details, and crash scene evidence may disappear unless families act quickly. When a loved one is killed in a hit-and-run, seeking legal review can be one of the only ways to preserve what little evidence remains.
How to Obtain a Police Report After a Fatal Crash in Torrance
Families affected by a fatal crash in Torrance can request the official police report through the Torrance Police Department Records Division. This report can contain essential information including incident location, time of collision, vehicle details, and witness accounts.
Torrance Police Department – Records Division
3300 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: (310) 328-3456
Website: https://www.torranceca.gov
To request a report:
- You may apply in person or by mail.
- Include the date, time, and location of the incident.
- You may need to provide identification and pay a small administrative fee.
- Reports may not be immediately available in active investigations, but legal representatives may assist in expediting access.
Speaking with a wrongful death attorney can offer grieving families clarity during a painful time and help determine whether further legal steps should be taken.
