Pedestrian crash hotspots in Santa Monica, CA
87 pedestrian crashes were reported in Santa Monica from 2021–2025, 29 of them serious or fatal (15 fatal). Below are the spots where they keep happening, what usually goes wrong at each one, and what to watch for.
Also: Bike crash hotspots in Santa Monica (51 crashes)
How people on foot get hit in Santa Monica
- 29% involved a driver turning, 17% turning left.
- 49% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
- 15% were crossing away from a crosswalk.
- 37% happened after dark.
- 13% were hit-and-run.
Where pedestrian crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
1. Ocean Ave & Broadway
5 crashes · 3 serious or fatal · 1 fatalA mix of crash types
Of 5 people hit here, 3 were in a crosswalk at the intersection. 80% 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.
2. Colorado Ave & 20th St
5 crashes · 2 serious or fatal · 1 fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 3 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. 40% were hit-and-run.
- → 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.
3. Wilshire Blvd & 21st St
3 crashes · 2 serious or fatal · 1 fatalA mix of crash types
Of 3 people hit here, 2 were in a crosswalk at the intersection.
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
4. Pacific Coast Hwy & Beach House Way
3 crashes · 2 serious or fatal · 1 fatalA mix of crash types
Of 3 people hit here, 2 were in a crosswalk at the intersection.
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
5. Main St & Hollister Ave (E)
4 crashes · 2 serious or fatalPeople hit walking in the road
2 of 4 people were in the road or on the shoulder when they were hit, not crossing. 50% happened after dark.
- → Stay out of the traffic lane: check behind you before stepping out from a parked car, and where there's no sidewalk, walk facing traffic as far from the lane as you can.
- → Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
6. Main St & Ashland Ave
3 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatalA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
7. Santa Monica Pier & Colorado Ave
4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalPeople hit walking in the road
2 of 4 people were in the road or on the shoulder when they were hit, not crossing. 50% happened after dark.
- → Stay out of the traffic lane: check behind you before stepping out from a parked car, and where there's no sidewalk, walk facing traffic as far from the lane as you can.
- → Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
8. Lincoln Blvd & Santa Monica Blvd
3 crashes · 1 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
9. Santa Monica Blvd & 16th St
4 crashesDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 2 of 4 crashes a driver was turning left.
- → 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.
10. Wilshire Blvd & 16th St
3 crashesA mix of crash types
Of 3 people hit here, 2 were in a crosswalk at the intersection.
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
Pedestrian crashes in Santa Monica by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 10 | 6 | |
| 2023 | 15 | 7 | |
| 2024 | 11 | 4 | |
| 2025 | 47 | 9 |
Common questions about Santa Monica
- Where do the most pedestrian crashes happen in Santa Monica?
- The worst spot is Ocean Ave & Broadway, with 5 reported pedestrian crashes from 2021–2025, 3 of them serious or fatal. Next are Colorado Ave & 20th St (5) and Wilshire Blvd & 21st St (3).
- How many pedestrians were killed in Santa Monica?
- 15 crashes killed someone in 87 reported pedestrian crashes in Santa Monica from 2021–2025, and 29 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do pedestrians usually get hit in Santa Monica?
- 29% involved a driver turning, 17% turning left. 49% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection. 15% were crossing away from a crosswalk. 37% happened after dark. 13% were hit-and-run.
- How many pedestrian crashes happen in Santa Monica each year?
- Reported pedestrian crashes with map locations: 2021: 4, 2022: 10, 2023: 15, 2024: 11, 2025: 47. 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. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.
Nearby cities
Source: California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), 2021–2025. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, and many city police reports have none, so these numbers are lower than the real total. Crashes on freeways are left out. Busy streets show more crashes partly because more people use them. Data last rebuilt 2026-09-23. How the data works.