The family of a 6-year-old boy who was killed by a hit-and-run driver while on a family bike ride in Pacific Beach says the city failed to make the sidewalk and the street safe for pedestrians, contributing to the young boy’s death.
Times of San Diego obtained legal tort claims, the first step in a lawsuit, filed with the city of San Diego over the January 17, 2026, death of 6-year-old Hudson O’Laughlin.
O’Laughlin and his mother, fatherand younger brother were riding their bikes on the sidewalk on Pacific Beach Drive on a Saturday afternoon when 32-year-old Tiffany Sanchez allegedly turned west onto an alley servicing the 4000 block of Ingraham Street, hitting O’Laughlin, before running over the young boy while fleeing the scene.
The legal claims state that the city bears some responsibility for the street and alley design, and for failing to address what has been and remains a danger to public safety.
“This fatal incident occurred within a dense residential and recreational coastal neighborhood characterized by high pedestrian and bicyclist activity, including children,” reads the claim filed by the family’s attorneys, Saldaña, Bollinger & Gonzalez.
Attorneys for the family say the city should have known the roadway at that location was a hazard to pedestrians and cyclists due to drivers turning into the alley in hopes of bypassing traffic along Pacific Beach Drive.
“The alley opening interrupted the sidewalk and created an unmarked crossing used by pedestrians and bicyclists,” reads the claim. “While curb ramps existed, there were no conspicuous traffic control devices, warning markings, or protective features sufficient to alert motorists turning into the alley to the presence of crossing pedestrians and children.”
Compounding matters, the views from the alley entrance at the time of the collision and before were obstructed, according to the claim, by parked vehicles.
“The absence of red curb markings allowed vehicles to park too close to the alley
entrance, unreasonably restricting visibility for motorists turning into the alley as well as for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the alley,” reads the tort claims.
In the days that followed, the city of San Diego painted the curbs in the area red.
The combination of a dangerous road configuration, accumulated loose gravel and Sanchez’s actions contributed to what is and will remain a life-altering tragedy, say attorneys for the family in the legal claims.
“Matthew O’Loughlin and Juliana Kapovich, parents, witnessed the collision and its immediate aftermath. [Hudson O’Laughlin’s] minor brother was present and exposed to the traumatic events surrounding his sibling’s fatal injury. As a legal and proximate result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs have suffered and will continue to suffer the loss of [Hudson O’Laughlin’s] love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, suffer the loss of society, and moral support.”
Trial is set for Sep 8 for driver Tiffany Sanchez, who faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter, hit and run with death, and driving without a license.
The San Diego’s City Attorney’s Office declined to comment due to pending litigation.
