Pedestrian crashes on Prairie Ave, Hawthorne

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: 26 pedestrian crashes were reported on Prairie Ave in Hawthorne from 2021–2025, 5 of them serious or fatal. The most were at Prairie Ave & 135th St (8). 50% involved a driver turning, 46% turning left. 54% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.

• 50% involved a driver turning, 46% turning left.
• 54% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
• 27% were crossing away from a crosswalk.
• 38% happened after dark.
• 15% were hit-and-run.

1. Prairie Ave & 135th St

   8 crashes · 2 serious or fatal

   Drivers turning left into people crossing

   In 6 of 8 crashes a driver was turning left. 8 of 8 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them.

   • Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
   See it on the map

2. Prairie Ave & 142nd St

   5 crashes

   People hit crossing mid-block

   2 of 5 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 60% happened after dark. 40% were hit-and-run.

   • 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. Prairie Ave & 132nd St

   5 crashes

   Drivers turning left into people crossing

   In 4 of 5 crashes a driver was turning left. 3 of 5 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them. 40% happened after dark.

   • Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
   • Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
   See it on the map

4. Prairie Ave & 139th St

   3 crashes · 1 serious or fatal

   People hit crossing mid-block

   2 of 3 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 67% 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 3 p.m..

Where on Prairie Ave do the most pedestrian crashes happen?

Prairie Ave & 135th St, with 8 reported pedestrian crashes from 2021–2025, 2 of them serious or fatal. Next are Prairie Ave & 142nd St (5) and Prairie Ave & 132nd St (5).

How do pedestrians usually get hit on Prairie Ave?

50% involved a driver turning, 46% turning left. 54% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection. 27% were crossing away from a crosswalk. 38% happened after dark. 15% were hit-and-run.

How many pedestrian crashes happen on Prairie Ave each year?

Reported pedestrian crashes on Prairie Ave in Hawthorne: 2021: 4, 2022: 6, 2023: 8, 2024: 5, 2025: 3. 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.