Preliminary reports indicate that a man was driving westbound on White Lane when he made a left turn into the path of oncoming traffic, leading to a collision
Bakersfield, CA – A man died days after being involved in a car accident in southwest Bakersfield earlier this month.
According to a report by the Bakersfield Police Department, the incident took place in the 7000 block of White Lane at about 11:40 a.m. February 8.
Preliminary reports indicate that a man was driving westbound on White Lane when he made a left turn into the path of oncoming traffic, leading to a collision. It’s unclear how many vehicles were involved in the incident.
The BPD and emergency crews responded to the scene and located the severely injured driver of the westbound vehicle.
The driver was transported to a hospital and was listed in critical condition. On Wednesday, February 11, the Kern County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the man had succumbed to his injuries.
An update on the condition of any other individuals involved in the accident was not avaliable. The decased driver’s identity has not yet been released.
The Bakersfield Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident and has urged anyone with information on the case to call the department at 661-327-7111.
The city of Bakersfield has made some progress in reducing the overall number of fatal collisions, which decreased to 44 in 2024 from 53 in 2023 and 69 in 2022. Fatal crashes involving impaired drivers also saw a significant drop of 58% in the same period. Despite this reduction in fatalities, the total number of injury-related collisions has risen, with 1,813 non-fatal crashes in 2024, up from 1,784 in 2023, indicating that while fewer accidents are deadly, many still result in serious harm. Â A major area of concern remains pedestrian and cyclist safety. Between 2018 and 2022, Bakersfield experienced 181 pedestrian fatalities and has been identified as one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. for pedestrians. In 2023, the city saw 70 bicycle crashes, a 40% increase from two years prior, making it a high-risk area for cyclists as well. Â Common factors contributing to accidents across all modes of transport include speeding, impaired driving (DUI), and distracted driving. Certain locations, such as Highways 99 and 178, and intersections like Ming Avenue and New Stine Road, are known hotspots for accidents.
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