Pedestrian crashes on Esplanade, Chico

We don't rate streets as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a street is, and busy streets have more crashes partly because more people use them. This page covers traffic crashes, not crime. What the records show: 16 pedestrian crashes were reported on Esplanade in Chico from 2021–2026, 7 of them serious or fatal (1 fatal). The most were at Esplanade & 1st Ave (4). 31% involved a driver turning, 13% turning left. 38% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.

• The worst spot, on the mapEsplanade & 1st Ave4 crashes. A mix of crash types.
• The whole cityPedestrian hotspots in Chico155 pedestrian crashes, 2021–2026

• 31% involved a driver turning, 13% turning left.
• 38% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
• 44% were crossing away from a crosswalk.
• 69% happened after dark.

1. Esplanade & 1st Ave

   4 crashes · 3 serious or fatal

   A mix of crash types

   Of 4 people hit here, 4 were in a crosswalk at the intersection. 50% happened after dark.

   • No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
   • Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
   See it on the map

2. Esplanade & East Ave

   7 crashes · 1 serious or fatal

   People hit crossing mid-block

   5 of 7 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 71% happened after dark.

   • Cross at the nearest signal or crosswalk here, even if it's out of your way. Drivers don't expect people mid-block.
   • Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
   See it on the map

3. Esplanade & Cohasset Rd

   3 crashes · 2 serious or fatal

   People hit crossing mid-block

   2 of 3 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 100% happened after dark.

   • Cross at the nearest signal or crosswalk here, even if it's out of your way. Drivers don't expect people mid-block.
   • Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
   See it on the map

Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.

The busiest hour was 8 p.m..

Where on Esplanade do the most pedestrian crashes happen?

Esplanade & 1st Ave, with 4 reported pedestrian crashes from 2021–2026, 3 of them serious or fatal. Next are Esplanade & East Ave (7) and Esplanade & Cohasset Rd (3).

How do pedestrians usually get hit on Esplanade?

31% involved a driver turning, 13% turning left. 38% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection. 44% were crossing away from a crosswalk. 69% happened after dark.

How many pedestrian crashes happen on Esplanade each year?

Reported pedestrian crashes on Esplanade in Chico: 2021: 1, 2022: 1, 2023: 4, 2024: 6, 2025: 2, 2026: 2. The latest year can rise as late reports come in.

Where does this data come from?

Police crash reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), published by the state on data.ca.gov, counted by the street each report names first. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.