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Woman killed in vehicle versus pedestrian crash in Atascadero

December 1, 2025

By ROBERT HANSEN

A driver hit and killed a pedestrian in Atascadero on Monday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Shortly after 10 a.m., 66-year-old Gary Tipton attempted to turn onto the southbound Highway 101 offramp at San Anselmo Road when he struck a woman who was walking in the crosswalk. The victim, 69-year-old Rachel Hoffman of Atascadero, died at the scene.

Investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs played a factor in the fatal crash. The investigation is ongoing.

 


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Driver not under the influence? How does this happen in clear view and broad daylight while the victim is in the crosswalk? I was fortunate to avoid hitting a homeless woman who was lying on the pavement at this very location while I was driving and turning onto the same onramp, in the dark, late at night. This incident is so damn sad. We all need to be less hurried, less distracted, and more vigilant while driving. The same goes for cyclists and pedestrians.


13

Something is wrong here. Driver was “attempting” to turn onto the SB OFFramp (AKA exiting the SB freeway). You were “turning onto the same ONramp” (my emphasis)? Also, there is no crosswalk at the bottom of an offramp where one exits a freeway. There is a crosswalk at the top of an offramp, but far beyond the point where one “attempts” to exit the freeway. So, I wonder what really happened.


0

The reporter misstated the circumstances of this incident, unfortunately. The 66-year-old driver was turning from San Anselmo Road onto the ON-ramp for southbound Highway 101, He was NOT turning onto the OFF-ramp as the article states. Check out the location using Goggle Earth satellite photos or visit the scene in person. It will all make sense, except for the part about how the vehicle driver and pedestrian failed to avoid each other and instead tried to occupy the same space at the same time. Damned unfortunate and tragic for both. Stay alert folks.


1

Very, very simple explanation; they were both over 65 years old.


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