Pacific Beach community plans memorial walk and ghost bike dedication for 6-year-old killed in hit-and-run
Memorial walk and “ghost bike” planned at Pacific Beach crash site
A community memorial walk and a “ghost bike” dedication were scheduled in Pacific Beach to honor 6-year-old Hudson O’Loughlin, who was fatally struck in a hit-and-run while riding his bicycle with family on Jan. 17, 2026.
The event was organized to begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the joint-use field of Crown Point Junior Music Academy, with participants walking to the crash location near Pacific Beach Drive and Ingraham Street for the installation of the memorial bicycle.
What happened on Jan. 17
Hudson was injured in the afternoon of Jan. 17 when a vehicle struck him as he crossed an alley near Pacific Beach Drive and Ingraham Street. He was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Investigators reported the driver left the scene following the collision. San Diego Police later identified a suspect and made an arrest in National City. Court proceedings following the arrest included a not-guilty plea and charges that include gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run causing death. Authorities also alleged the driver did not have a valid license at the time of the collision.
How the memorial walk was planned to proceed
The planned route was described as a short walk from the school field to the crash site, where a white-painted bicycle was to be placed as a permanent roadside memorial. Organizers asked attendees to wear blue, orange, or camouflage—colors described as Hudson’s favorites.
Start time: 4 p.m. Tuesday
Starting point: Crown Point Junior Music Academy joint-use field (entrance on Jewell Street)
Destination: Pacific Beach Drive west of Ingraham Street
What a “ghost bike” signifies
A “ghost bike” is a bicycle painted entirely white and placed at or near the location where a cyclist was killed, serving as a visual reminder of a life lost and a marker for community mourning. These memorials are often decorated with flowers or personal items, and they can become gathering points for vigils and remembrance.
The family invited the public to participate in a community memorial and installation honoring Hudson and his love of cycling.
Ongoing investigation and court process
The criminal case remains in the court system, and the allegations have not been resolved by trial. Investigators have continued to document the circumstances of the collision, while community members have maintained a growing memorial at the site in the weeks following Hudson’s death.
Separately, the crash has intensified local attention on traffic safety in the Pacific Beach area, particularly around residential streets and alleys near schools and recreation corridors.