The crash occurred at approximately 5:54 p.m. on May 26 along eastbound Highway 58, east of Towerline Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Bakersfield, CA – Authorities have identified the man who died in a multi-vehicle collision involving a semi-truck on Tuesday evening on Highway 58 in Bakersfield.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 25-year-old Travis Ponce of Bakersfield.
The crash occurred at approximately 5:54 p.m. on May 26 along eastbound Highway 58, east of Towerline Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Investigators said Ponce was driving a 2025 Nissan Sentra westbound on the highway at an estimated speed of 85 to 90 mph. At the same time, a 35-year-old man was operating a 2023 Kenworth tractor-trailer eastbound in the No. 1 Lane at approximately 55 mph.
CHP said the Nissan driver made an unsafe turning movement, lost control of the vehicle, and crossed the dirt center median into the eastbound lanes, directly into the path of the semi-truck.
The Nissan collided with the Kenworth, causing debris to become airborne. Authorities said debris from the crash then struck a 2019 Porsche Panamera driven by a 25-year-old man traveling behind the semi-truck at approximately 65 to 70 mph.
Ponce was pronounced dead at the scene.
The drivers of both the semi-truck and the Porsche were not injured in the crash, officials said.
Investigators are continuing to determine whether drugs or alcohol may have contributed to the fatal collision.