Las Vegas, NV (October 7th, 2026) – A green light allows a driver to proceed through an intersection, but it does not always give that driver the right of way over a pedestrian. Under Nevada law, a driver turning left or right on a circular green light must yield to pedestrians who are lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.
That distinction has become especially relevant after a fatal pedestrian accident in southeast Las Vegas. Police say an 83-year-old woman was walking in a crosswalk at Pecos Road and Hacienda Avenue when she was struck by a pickup truck making a left turn on a solid green light.
The crash remains under investigation, and the reported facts do not establish civil liability. However, the circumstances highlight an important point for pedestrians and drivers alike: having a green light does not eliminate a driver’s responsibility to watch for and yield to pedestrians who have the right of way.
If your family lost a loved one in a Las Vegas pedestrian accident, contact George Bochanis Injury Law Offices at 702-388-2005 to discuss what happened and your legal options.
Key Takeaways
- An 83-year-old pedestrian died after she was struck while walking in a crosswalk at Pecos Road and Hacienda Avenue in Las Vegas.
- Police say the pickup driver was making a left turn on a solid green light when the collision occurred.
- Nevada law generally requires drivers turning on a green light to yield to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk.
- A green traffic light does not, by itself, establish who was responsible for a pedestrian accident.
- Evidence involving the pedestrian signal, vehicle movement, visibility, timing, and other circumstances can help determine what happened.
83-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in Southeast Las Vegas Crosswalk
The fatal collision occurred shortly after 7:10 a.m. at the intersection of South Pecos Road and East Hacienda Avenue.
According to the reports, the 83-year-old Las Vegas woman was walking in a crosswalk when she was struck by a 2023 Ford F-350. Police said the pickup was traveling west on Hacienda Avenue and attempting to turn left while facing a solid green traffic light.
The woman was transported to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where she died.
The driver remained at the scene, and police said impairment was not suspected. The crash remains under investigation.
Those facts matter because a solid green light does not give a turning driver an unrestricted right to proceed through an intersection.
Does a Driver Turning on Green Have the Right of Way Over a Pedestrian?
Not necessarily. Nevada’s traffic laws address what drivers and pedestrians can do when facing different traffic signals. When a driver faces a circular green light, the driver may generally proceed straight or make a permitted right or left turn.
However, the driver must yield the right of way to pedestrians who are lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk. Nevada law also allows pedestrians facing a green signal to proceed through a marked or unmarked crosswalk unless another pedestrian-control device directs otherwise.
That creates an important distinction between permission to turn and the right of way while turning.
A driver may have a green light and still need to wait before completing a turn. If a pedestrian is lawfully crossing in the driver’s path, the driver cannot rely on the green light alone and proceed without regard for the pedestrian.
What If the Driver Has a Green Turn Arrow?
Even a green turn arrow does not automatically eliminate a driver’s duty toward pedestrians.
Nevada law provides different rules depending on the combination of signals displayed, but drivers making a permitted turn may still have an obligation to yield to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk.
The exact traffic signals displayed at the time of a pedestrian collision can therefore become an important part of determining fault.
Why the Pedestrian Signal Matters After a Crosswalk Accident
Knowing that a pedestrian was physically inside a crosswalk is important, but investigators may still need to determine whether the pedestrian entered it lawfully.
Pedestrian-control signals can help answer that question.
For example, Nevada law allows a pedestrian facing a “Walk” signal to proceed across the roadway and requires drivers to give that pedestrian the right of way. The rules differ when a pedestrian faces a flashing or steady “Don’t Walk” indication.
After a serious or fatal crosswalk accident, investigators may need to determine what the pedestrian signal showed when the person entered the road, what signal the driver faced, and how those signals operated together.
Due to these and other such factors, fault should not be decided based on a single fact such as “the driver had a green light.”
How Is Fault Investigated After a Fatal Crosswalk Accident?
The traffic signals provide only part of the picture.
A thorough investigation can also examine where the pedestrian was when the vehicle began turning, whether the driver had a clear view of the crosswalk, the vehicle’s path through the intersection, and whether the driver had an opportunity to see and yield to the pedestrian.
Evidence may include:
- Traffic or surveillance video
- Witness statements
- Police reports and scene photographs
- Vehicle data and physical evidence from the collision
- Traffic-signal timing and sequencing information
Nevada law also requires motorists to exercise due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians and to use proper caution when pedestrians are in or near marked or unmarked crosswalks.
Together, the evidence can provide a much clearer account of what happened than either the driver’s green light or the pedestrian’s presence in the crosswalk considered alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Crosswalk Accidents in Las Vegas
Does the driver have to receive a traffic citation before my family can file a wrongful death claim?
No. A traffic citation is not required to explore a civil wrongful death claim. The available evidence can be evaluated independently to determine whether another party may bear legal responsibility for the collision.
What if the police report says the driver was not impaired?
Impairment is only one possible factor in a pedestrian accident. A driver who was not impaired may still have failed to yield, failed to see a pedestrian, or otherwise failed to use reasonable care. Whether negligence occurred depends on the circumstances and evidence.
Can traffic camera footage help prove who had the right of way?
Potentially. Video may show when a pedestrian entered the crosswalk, where the vehicle was positioned, how the driver approached the turn, and other details relevant to the collision. Other records may also help establish how the traffic and pedestrian signals were operating.
Should our family wait until the police investigation is finished before contacting a lawyer?
You do not necessarily have to wait. Evidence can disappear or become harder to obtain over time, particularly surveillance footage. A lawyer can begin evaluating the circumstances and identifying evidence while the official investigation continues.
Talk to a Las Vegas Wrongful Death Lawyer After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
The recent fatal crash at Pecos Road and Hacienda Avenue shows why a green light should not be treated as the final word on the right of way.
Drivers making permitted turns still have responsibilities toward pedestrians. When a pedestrian is lawfully within a crosswalk, Nevada law may require a turning driver to yield even when the driver’s traffic signal is green.
Determining what happened after a fatal crosswalk accident requires looking beyond one signal or one reported fact. The pedestrian signal, vehicle movement, visibility, video footage, witness accounts, and other evidence may all help establish whether a driver failed to yield and whether the family has grounds for a wrongful death claim.
If your family lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in Las Vegas, contact George Bochanis Injury Law Offices at 702-388-2005. We can investigate what happened, explain your family’s legal options, and help you determine what comes next.
