FRESNO, Calif. — A northwest Fresno morning that began with promise ended in heartbreak Thursday when 16-year-old Maxwell Thompson, a student at Justin Garza High School, was killed while trying to cross the busy northbound lanes of Highway 99. Law enforcement confirmed the teen’s identity Friday as local families and classmates struggle to process the loss.
Thompson was attempting to run from the east shoulder toward the center divider near the Herndon Avenue off-ramp just before 9 a.m. when a pickup truck struck him in the far right lane. The driver, who remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities, could not stop in time to avoid the collision.
Emergency crews from the California Highway Patrol and local medical teams rushed to the scene within minutes. They worked to save Thompson’s life, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on site. Officials say there’s no indication that alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.
Family, friends and school staff described Thompson as a bright young life full of potential, someone who lit up a room and was deeply woven into the fabric of his school community. His death has cast a heavy shadow over Justin Garza High and the wider northwest Fresno neighborhoods that knew him.
This tragedy adds to a troubling local pattern. Fresno has seen a rise in pedestrian collisions on major roadways, with safety advocates pointing out that freeways like Highway 99 are designed for fast vehicles, not people on foot. Community leaders continue to push for better protections and clearer public awareness around the risks pedestrians face on high-speed corridors.
Friends have gathered informally near the high school in recent days, sharing memories of Thompson’s easy laugh, his love of music, and the warmth he brought into every room. In hallways and online memorials, classmates speak of a life taken too soon, a young person who had so much yet to give.
The California Highway Patrol extended its condolences to Thompson’s family and urged anyone who sees people walking along or attempting to cross a freeway to immediately call 911 so officers can respond before another tragedy unfolds.
In a city grappling with transportation dangers, this latest loss is a stark reminder of how quickly life can change — and how critical it is to watch out for one another, especially on roads built for speed.
