The incident happened at about 4:06 p.m. on June 2, 2026, on eastbound 7th Standard Road near Poplar Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Bakersfield, CA – The driver who was killed in a three-vehicle crash on 7th Standard Road in Bakersfield Tuesday evening has been identified.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as 20-year-old Daniel Ortega of Shafter.
The incident happened at about 4:06 p.m. on June 2, 2026, on eastbound 7th Standard Road near Poplar Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Investigators said Ortega was driving a Honda Civic eastbound when he stopped to wait for westbound traffic to clear before attempting to make a left turn onto Poplar Avenue. A white Chevrolet pickup traveling behind the Honda then struck Ortega’s vehicle from the rear, pushing it into the westbound lanes where it collided with another Honda Civic that was making a right turn onto Poplar Avenue.
Ortega suffered major injuries and was transported to Kern Medical, where he was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup and the driver of the second Honda Civic were also transported to Kern Medical with minor injuries. No arrests were reported.
Emergency crews responded to the scene shortly after the collision was reported and remained in the area while investigators processed evidence and cleared the damaged vehicles from the roadway.
The crash caused traffic disruptions along 7th Standard Road near Poplar Avenue during the investigation and cleanup efforts.
The incident remains under investigation.