Woman in Wheelchair Killed on Forty Mile Road in Yuba County

Family calls for safety improvements after tragic accident

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A 60-year-old woman in a wheelchair was struck and killed by a car early Saturday morning on Forty Mile Road in Yuba County, California, between the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the Toyota Amphitheatre. The victim, Cynthia Romero, was a stroke victim who was paralyzed on one side of her body. Her family is now calling for safety improvements along the busy roadway, including sidewalks, lighting, crosswalks, and accessible routes for people using wheelchairs.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the need for better infrastructure and safety measures in areas with high pedestrian and wheelchair traffic, especially as more development is planned for the Forty Mile Road corridor. The family's calls for action aim to prevent similar accidents and protect vulnerable road users.

The details

Romero was leaving the Hard Rock Casino and heading home nearby when she was struck by a car around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday. The California Highway Patrol says the driver remained at the scene, but Romero died in the roadway despite life-saving efforts. Romero's family has started a petition calling for safety improvements, including sidewalks, lighting, crosswalks, and accessible routes for wheelchair users.

  • The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2026.
  • A little more than a year ago, Yuba County announced it had received a $35 million grant to extend Highway 70 and connect it to a future sports and entertainment zone, which includes plans for safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.

The players

Cynthia Romero

A 60-year-old woman in a wheelchair who was struck and killed by a car on Forty Mile Road. She was a stroke victim who was paralyzed on one side of her body.

Alicia Morales

Romero's daughter, who is calling for safety improvements along Forty Mile Road to prevent similar accidents.

California Highway Patrol

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and is investigating the crash.

Yuba County

The county that received a $35 million grant to extend Highway 70 and connect it to a future sports and entertainment zone, which includes plans for safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

The casino where Romero had been earlier before the incident occurred on Forty Mile Road.

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What they’re saying

“We don't want her death to be in vain. My mom was an advocate for people less fortunate; she was a social worker most of her life. We just want to carry that on.”

— Alicia Morales, Romero's daughter (CBS News Sacramento)

“She's a mother of 6, a grandmother to ten. She, for whatever reason, she needed to get home and we're still trying to figure all that out now, but the reality is somebody could have seen her. She could've had more light for herself, if there was any kind of visibility out here.”

— Alicia Morales, Romero's daughter (CBS News Sacramento)

“These things need to happen now. Just hearing the cars go by, it is at such a great speed. It's a freeway out here. It's a highway, but it's like a freeway out here.”

— Alicia Morales, Romero's daughter (CBS News Sacramento)

What’s next

Construction for the Highway 70 connector project, which includes plans for safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, is expected to begin this year.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for better infrastructure and safety measures to protect vulnerable road users, especially in areas with high pedestrian and wheelchair traffic. The family's calls for action aim to prevent similar accidents and ensure that all community members can safely navigate the roads.