Los Angeles, CA - Pedestrian Killed in Predawn Bus Crash Near LAX

Los Angeles, California (July 23, 2026) - A pedestrian died after being struck by a bus early Thursday on Sepulveda Boulevard near Los Angeles International Airport, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The crash was reported at 2:03 a.m. on July 23, 2026, at Sepulveda Boulevard and 98th Street, LAPD Officer J. Chaves said. The bus was traveling northbound in the third lane when it struck a male pedestrian who was crossing westbound, according to Chaves.

Initial reports indicated the pedestrian might have been crawling across the street at the time of the crash, Chaves said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Video from the location showed the roadway was under construction. LAX police and LAPD are investigating. The victim's identity has not been released.

This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.

A predawn crash on a road already torn up for construction leaves a family with more questions than a police report can answer.

Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles, California

A pedestrian crossing outside a marked crosswalk, or found on the roadway itself, does not automatically decide fault. California follows a pure comparative fault standard, so a family can still recover damages even if the pedestrian bore some responsibility for how the crash happened.

• Who may be liable: the bus operator, the transit agency or company that owns the bus, and any contractor or agency responsible for the construction zone
• What investigators examine: the bus's speed and lane position, sightlines through the construction area, whether signage and lighting met code, and how quickly the driver reacted
• Why the work zone matters: construction sites carry added duties to warn and protect people on foot, and a missing barrier or unclear detour can shift liability onto the contractor or the public agency overseeing the project
• Wrongful death claims in California generally must be filed within two years of the date of death (CCP 377.60), which puts the deadline in this case at July 23, 2028

Contact Our Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Losing someone on a road they crossed in the dark, on a night when the street itself wasn't finished being built, leaves a family carrying grief and unanswered questions at the same time.

The Law Offices of Christian Contreras has recovered more than $200 million for injured clients and families across Los Angeles, including over $30 million in 2025 alone, and doesn't settle cases just to close them. The firm's Los Angeles wrongful death attorneys take on the transit agencies and contractors that families can't take on alone.

Construction records, bus telematics, and dashcam footage disappear fast once a work site reopens, so preserving them now matters more than it will in a few weeks.

There's no cost to talk, and nothing owed unless the firm recovers for the family.

Why Injured Clients Trust Christian Contreras Law

• $200M+ recovered for clients
• More than $30M recovered in 2025 alone
• Takes cases to trial with 7+ jury trials each year
• Bilingual representation in English and Spanish
• Featured by ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and Telemundo
• Perfect 5.0 Star Client Rating

Talk With a Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorney at (866) 836-6588

Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.