At approximately 4 a.m. Tuesday, tragedy struck North Long Beach when 36-year-old Shalanda Young was fatally struck by a car at the intersection of Cherry Avenue and Curry Street. According to authorities, Young was standing in the roadway when a 2015 Honda Civic traveling southbound attempted to swerve to avoid another man also in the street — in the process, the vehicle struck Young.
Emergency crews, including those from the Long Beach Fire Department and the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), responded swiftly. Paramedics found Young with critical injuries and attempted life-saving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, identified as a 30-year-old man from Norwalk, remained on the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. LBPD stated that in the early stages of their review, there is no indication that excessive speed, driver impairment, or distraction played a role in the collision.
Authorities are still seeking clarity as to why both Young and the other man were in the roadway at that early hour. Detective Joseph Johnson of LBPD’s Collision Investigation Detail has asked witnesses to come forward, and indicated that surveillance footage or first-hand observations near Cherry and Curry could be especially helpful. Those with information are being urged to contact LBPD at 562-570-7355; anonymous tips may also be submitted.
This death marks the 43rd traffic‐related fatality in Long Beach in 2025 — already surpassing last year’s total of 40. The growing number of pedestrian deaths is raising alarm, especially on busy thoroughfares during hours of low visibility. City officials have renewed calls for increased pedestrian and driver awareness, and for better safety measures on roads like Cherry Avenue.
Neighbors and friends say Young lived just blocks from the site of the collision, a detail that has made her sudden loss all the more heartbreaking for the local community. While officials have not released extensive personal details, people who knew her describe her as part of the neighborhood’s fabric — her presence deeply felt and her absence mourned.
Young’s death has become a reminder of both how fragile life can be at dawn and how critical it is to ensure the safety of those walking, driving, or simply crossing roads. In Long Beach, city leaders say strengthening infrastructure, improving lighting, enforcing traffic laws, and increasing public awareness are essential to prevent further loss.