The family of a woman who died after “catastrophic” injuries in a June 2025 traffic collision at a Fullerton intersection has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Fullerton School District, alleging that an employee driving a district vehicle caused the crash.
The lawsuit is tied to a two-car collision at the intersection of Bastanchury Road and Euclid Street on June 23, 2025, according to the suit, recently filed in Orange County Superior Court.
Ofelia Barretto was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by her son that was traveling east on Bastanchury, toward Euclid, according to the lawsuit. Another driver — identified in the lawsuit as Vladislav Rumenov Grigorov, was traveling westbound on Euclid, toward Bastanchury, according to the court filing.
The lawsuit alleges that Grigorov made a left turn on a red turn light, cutting in front of Barretto’s vehicle as it was driving into the intersection on a green light and causing a collision.
Barretto was taken to a hospital for treatment. She later died from the injuries, the lawsuit adds.
Since Barretto’s death occurred more than 30 days after the crash, police did not immediately classify it as a fatal traffic collision, said Kristy Wells, a Fullerton Police Department spokeswoman. Wells confirmed that a police investigation did determine that the other driver “violated traffic laws by making a left turn on a red light.”
There is no indication in court records that Grigorov was charged or cited in connection with the crash.
The lawsuit alleges that Grigorov was driving in a vehicle owned by the Fullerton School District and was working for the district at the time of the crash.
In response to a request for comment by a reporter, the Fullerton School District released a statement saying “We are aware of the situation and understand the public interest in this matter…
“It is currently under active investigation and pending litigation,” the district statement reads. “We remain committed to a fair and thorough process. Out of respect for that process, we cannot provide additional details at this time.”
Grigorov could not be reached for comment.
Fullerton School District officials declined to comment on whether Grigorov was a district employee, either currently or at the time of the crash. Transparent California, a public employee pay database, indicates that Grigorov worked as an electrician at an elementary school, at least at one time. But it is unclear from the records in the database whether he was working for the district in 2025 or if he is still employed by them.
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of financial damages.