Unlicensed Woman Hits Child Twice & Flees

A California woman driving without a license allegedly ran over a 6-year-old boy twice before fleeing the scene, yet faces charges that stop short of the felonies his grieving family demands—exposing how lax enforcement of licensing laws and inadequate street safety infrastructure continue to endanger innocent lives.

Story Snapshot

Tiffany Sanchez, 32, struck Hudson O’Loughlin on his bike, stopped briefly, then accelerated over him again before fleeing on January 17, 2026
Sanchez was driving without a license and bailed out quickly, with arraignment set for January 27, 2026
Family launched petition demanding felony charges, calling incident “clear disregard for human life”
San Diego County Bike Coalition identifies Pacific Beach Drive as among city’s most dangerous streets lacking traffic calming measures

Unlicensed Driver Strikes Child Twice in Shocking Hit-and-Run

Tiffany Sanchez struck 6-year-old Hudson O’Loughlin while he rode his bicycle with family on Pacific Beach Drive near Ingraham Street around 3:45 p.m. on January 17, 2026. Witness David Morrow, driving behind Sanchez’s SUV, reported she stopped for approximately 10 seconds after the initial impact, then accelerated rapidly, running over Hudson a second time before fleeing the scene. Morrow captured her license plate, enabling San Diego Police to arrest Sanchez on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, hit-and-run causing death, and driving without a valid license. Hudson was transported to Rady Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Family Demands Justice as Charges Fall Short of Felonies

Hudson’s aunt, Nicole O’Loughlin, launched a petition titled “Urge the County District Attorney: We Need Justice for Hudson,” decrying what the family describes as deliberate actions showing “clear disregard for human life.” The family argues Sanchez’s decision to stop, then accelerate over Hudson again, indicates intent beyond negligence. The San Diego County District Attorney filed charges for vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, hit-and-run causing death, and driving without a license. Sanchez posted bail and was released pending her January 27, 2026, arraignment. The family’s petition and public statements pressure prosecutors to pursue harsher felony charges, reflecting frustration with perceived leniency toward reckless drivers.

Dangerous Streets and Government Failure to Protect Children

The San Diego County Bike Coalition identifies Pacific Beach Drive as among the city’s most dangerous streets, citing inadequate traffic calming infrastructure and high vehicle speeds despite heavy pedestrian and bicycle use. Local residents have repeatedly requested city funding for safety improvements, yet progress remains stalled. Hudson was riding on a sidewalk bike path when Sanchez veered into his path, underscoring how government neglect of infrastructure endangers families exercising basic freedoms like biking in their neighborhood. This tragedy highlights broader failures: unlicensed drivers evade accountability, and municipalities prioritize spending over common-sense safety measures that protect children and uphold community well-being.

Community Mourns as School Provides Grief Support

Hudson, a first-grader at McKinley Elementary, was remembered by his family as vibrant and science-loving. The San Diego Unified School District arranged grief counselors at his school on January 27, 2026, the same day as Sanchez’s arraignment. A memorial sprang up at the crash site, and a GoFundMe campaign was established to support the O’Loughlin family with expenses. Hudson’s mother, Juliana Kapovich, posted a prayer for awareness and safer streets, channeling her grief into advocacy. The community’s response reflects shared outrage that unlicensed, reckless drivers continue to evade serious consequences, undermining public safety and the rule of law that conservatives prioritize.

Unlicensed Driving Epidemic Demands Stronger Enforcement

Sanchez’s lack of a valid driver’s license exemplifies a broader California problem: unlicensed and reckless drivers face minimal deterrence, emboldening repeat offenses and fatal consequences. Her swift release on bail further frustrates advocates who view such leniency as enabling lawlessness. The family’s petition and the Bike Coalition’s advocacy aim to force systemic change, demanding both infrastructure investment and stricter penalties for unlicensed driving. This case underscores the need for enforcement that respects individual responsibility and protects innocent citizens—core conservative principles that government overreach and fiscal mismanagement have eroded. Hudson’s death should galvanize reforms ensuring drivers operate legally and cities maintain safe streets for families.