The city of San Diego has agreed to pay $6.5 million to the widow of a 60-year-old UC San Diego health professional who died after hitting a pothole on his scooter in Sorrento Valley in January 2023 while heading to the trolley station.
James Wadsworth, a neurophysiology specialist who worked at UC San Diego Health, was riding his scooter on Roselle Street less than a quarter of a mile from the Sorrento Valley Coaster Station when he hit a large pothole and was thrown from his scooter. Wadsworth, who was not wearing a helmet at the time, died from his injuries.
In September 2023, Wadsworth’s wife and family sued the city of San Diego alleging that the city was responsible for Wadsworth’s death for failing to maintain the streets and sidewalks.
In July 2026, after nearly three years of litigation, the city council agreed to settle in closed session. During open session on August 25, San Diego City Council members are expected to give their final approval on the $6.5 million payout, officially ending the family’s lawsuit.
At the August 25 city council meeting, the city council is also expected to pay an additional $490,000 to settle three separate trip-and-fall lawsuits.
San Diego to pay $6.5 million in fatal scooter crash lawsuit
