$5M for Police Brutality, Celebrity Sex Scandals, and Ninja Products Recalled for Burns

California’s May News Round-Up Includes Salmonella in Cucumbers, Bus Accidents, and Road Rage Incidents

As always, here is our monthly round-up of the most significant personal injury cases in the news in California in May 2025. This month brought a series of alarming incidents that remind us how quickly everyday situations can turn dangerous.

Traffic accidents remained a major concern once again. Deadly pedestrian hit-and-runs, fiery bus crashes, truck rollovers, motorcycle collisions, and fatal bicycle accidents underscored ongoing road safety issues. Adding to the debate is Waymo’s recent rollout of self-driving vehicles in San Jose. While hailed as an innovation, these robotaxis have sparked public concerns about safety, liability, and accountability in case of accidents.

In a tragic aviation incident, the music community mourned the loss of two well-known figures. Music executive Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams, former drummer of The Devil Wears Prada, died in a small plane crash near San Diego. In a separate case, the family of pilot Michael Fournier reached a $15 million settlement after a fatal helicopter crash during a wildfire. The lawsuit was brought against the helicopter’s manufacturer and maintenance companies for negligence.

Negligence wasn’t limited to air travel. A California woman successfully sued The Cosmopolitan hotel in Las Vegas after a fall allegedly caused by poor maintenance. In another premises liability case, Ramon W. Camilo, who was injured in a slip-and-fall accident at Walmart, rejected a $75,000 settlement and is now seeking $2 million. In San Luis Obispo County, a group of homeowners filed a lawsuit against the developers of San Luis Ranch, claiming that construction defects and mold problems have endangered their health and well-being.

California Personal Injury News Highlights for May 2025

Traffic accidents once again dominated the headlines this month. Thousands of collisions disrupted lives across the state, with particularly tragic consequences for incidents involving pedestrians and large trucks.

May also saw a surge in disturbing reports of sexual abuse and harassment, many of which involved minors. Meanwhile, public concern over police misconduct continued to grow. Several high-profile cases left victims with physical injuries and lasting emotional trauma.

Defective products were another major issue this month. Popular brands such as Ninja and Igloo were accused of negligence after their products were linked to injuries. Meanwhile, automotive giants Ford and General Motors issued recalls for vehicles with mechanical defects posing serious safety risks.

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to negligence, don’t hesitate to take action. At Adamson Ahdoot, we have decades of combined experience representing personal injury victims across California. We’re here to listen, advise and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call us today on (800) 310-1606 or submit your case online for a free consultation.

Hidden Cameras in Dance Studio Bathrooms, Massage Center Sexual Abuse, and New Allegations Against Diddy

Practice Area: Sexual Abuse and Harassment

One of the most disturbing incidents reported this month occurred at a dance studio in Hermosa Beach, where police discovered hidden cameras installed inside the bathroom facilities. The discovery has sparked widespread outrage, with families demanding accountability, transparency, and immediate action from authorities.

In another alarming case, a woman was sexually assaulted while walking along the Ohlone Greenway near a BART station in El Cerrito. According to police, the suspect initially approached the victim at the station and then followed her before attacking her on her way home.

Meanwhile, multiple Massage Envy locations across the South Bay are now facing lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by employees. These cases reflect a nationwide pattern of systematic abuse and negligence by the company in handling reports from victims.

The education sector has also come under scrutiny once again. A teacher at a San Jose school was recently arrested on allegations of harassing students. Authorities have indicated that additional complaints may be filed as the investigation progresses.

Two famous faces also hit the headlines this month in connection with sexual misconduct. French actor Gérard Depardieu was convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Separately, a former assistant of rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs has accused him of kidnapping her as part of a plot to murder Kid Cudi.

Excessive San Bernardino Police Violence

Practice Area: Police Misconduct

Negligence and the excessive use of force by law enforcement officials remain major concerns in California. One of the most significant cases this month occurred in San Bernardino, where the city agreed to a nearly $5 million settlement in a police brutality lawsuit. The claim was brought by the family of a man who was allegedly fatally shot by officers while unarmed in 2023.

In a separate incident in San Bernardino, a 17-year-old girl was forcibly detained by police on suspicion of burglary. Video footage captured the moment an officer pushed the teenager to the ground with great force.

Recall of Ninja Pressure Cookers, Salmonella in Cucumbers, and Vehicle Defects Impacting Safety

Practice Area: Product Liability

In May 2025, a wave of product recalls related to personal injury triggered concern across the United States, including California. From defective appliances to contaminated food and faulty vehicles, many products pose significant risks to consumer health and safety.

One of the most notable recalls involved two million Ninja-branded pressure cookers, which were pulled from the market after multiple reports of users sustaining serious burns. Similarly, Igloo extended its recall of ice chests for a second time due to the risk of finger amputation. Additionally, high chairs sold by Boyro Baby on Amazon were recalled after being linked to fall risks.

In the food sector, the FDA issued a warning after a salmonella outbreak linked to tomatoes and cucumbers sickened at least 27 people. Furthermore, a popular rice product sold on Amazon has been the subject of legal action after tests revealed high levels of toxic heavy metals. According to the World Health Organization, prolonged exposure to these substances can cause cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, and cardiovascular disease.

The automotive sector was also impacted by recalls in May, with several major manufacturers reporting serious safety issues:

• Volkswagen recalled its futuristic van model due to missing or inadequate seatbelts.
• Nissan is facing a class-action lawsuit due to door malfunctions that could trap occupants.
• Toyota recalled over 443,000 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid trucks due to reverse light failures.
• Ford issued a recall affecting over 1.1 million vehicles due to faulty rearview cameras.
• General Motors (GM) recalled almost 600,000 SUVs and trucks for engine failure risks.
• Volvo has recalled over 400,000 vehicles due to defects in the reversing camera system.

Bus Accidents, Road Rage, and Hit-and-Runs

Practice Area: Traffic Accidents

California has witnessed a disturbing number of road accidents with tragic consequences. San Jose recorded its tenth homicide of the year in an alarming incident where a driver allegedly ran over a victim in a parking lot.

Hit-and-run incidents continue to plague the state. In Palo Alto, a woman lost her life after being struck by a driver who fled the scene. Meanwhile, in South San Francisco, police arrested a suspect connected to another hit-and-run incident that left a pedestrian seriously injured.

Speeding remains a leading cause of fatal crashes. In Los Angeles, a driver traveling at over 100 mph ran a red light, causing a collision that claimed two lives.

Road rage has also resulted in multiple violent incidents. In one case in Los Angeles, a woman was shot and wounded following a road rage confrontation. On another occasion, a female driver was involved in two road rage incidents in a single day, verbally abusing and threatening other drivers with a machete.

Bus accidents have also claimed lives this month. In Hacienda Heights, a tour bus collided with another vehicle and caught fire, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. Additionally, a school bus carrying 32 children caught fire on Highway 17, causing smoke inhalation injuries among the passengers.

Dozens Injured and Several Killed in Truck Accidents

There were more fatalities and serious injuries than usual in truck-related accidents across California this past month. In Arvin, a woman was killed, and another person seriously injured when their vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer. In the mountain region of Oakhurst, a freight truck traveling at high speed lost control on Highway 41 and crashed into a car, prompting a large-scale rescue and clean-up operation due to the severity of the incident.

Another major accident occurred in Castaic, where a truck skidded off Highway 5 and overturned. Five individuals sustained serious injuries and required immediate hospitalization.

Multiple Motorcycle and Bicycle Accidents

Collisions involving motorcycles and trucks also proved deadly. In Millbrae, a motorcyclist died after colliding with a tractor-trailer. In a separate incident in San Jose, another motorcyclist was fatally struck by a driver allegedly under the influence.

Hit-and-run incidents involving motorcyclists were reported in Salinas and Lakeside. One of the victims remains in critical but stable condition, while the other succumbed to their injuries.

Cyclists were not spared from tragedy. In Atherton, a high school coach was killed after being struck by a truck. In Hayward, a man riding a motorized bicycle lost his life after colliding with a car. Additionally, former WWF and WCW professional wrestler Mike Raybeck was tragically killed while riding a bike, highlighting the growing dangers cyclists face on California roads.

Did You Suffer an Injury in a California Accident in May 2025? Call Us Today!

The personal injury incidents that occurred in California in May 2025 serve as a stark reminder that accidents and harm can happen anytime, anywhere—on the way to work, during a massage, or even at a children’s dance class. No one is immune. When injury strikes, life can change in an instant.

At Adamson Ahdoot, we understand how overwhelming this uncertainty can be. We’re here to provide clarity and support when you need it most. Our team has over 100 years of combined legal experience and is dedicated to fighting for the rights of injury victims. We take the time to listen to your story and support you every step of the way.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, experienced abuse, or suffered any other kind of harm, you don’t have to go through it alone. Call us at (800) 310-1606 or submit your case online for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.