The collision occurred on Highway 99 at Ninth Avenue at about 9:17 p.m. on April 4, 2026.
Delano, CA – Authorities have identified the passenger who was killed in a multi-vehicle wrong-way crash on Highway 99 in Delano Saturday night, according to the Kern County Coroner’s Office.
Joel Salomon Sanchez Perez, a 55-year-old resident of Vallejo, was pronounced dead at the scene following the crash.
The collision occurred on Highway 99 near Ninth Avenue at approximately 9:17 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
Investigators determined that a Tesla driven by a 28-year-old man was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes when it collided head-on with a Nissan driven by a 49-year-old woman. A Dodge Charger, operated by a 23-year-old woman traveling behind the Nissan, subsequently crashed into the Nissan.
Perez, who was a passenger in the Nissan, died at the scene. The Nissan driver and another passenger sustained major injuries, while one person in the Dodge suffered minor injuries. No arrests have been reported.
Original Story
Delano, CA – One person was killed, and several others were injured in a wrong-way traffic collision on Highway 99 in Delano Saturday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred on Highway 99 at Ninth Avenue at about 9:17 p.m. on April 4, 2026.
Authorities reported that a Tesla traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes of 99 collided head-on with a Nissan driven by a 49-year-old woman. A Dodge Charger, driven by a 23-year-old woman and traveling behind the Nissan, then crashed into the Nissan following the initial impact.
A passenger in the Nissan was pronounced dead at the scene. The Nissan driver and another passenger sustained major injuries and were transported to the hospital. One occupant in the Dodge suffered minor injuries.
Authorities said the crash was caused by a driver heading the wrong way, adding that alcohol and/or drugs are a contributing factor.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and conducted an extensive investigation.
The crash caused traffic to come to a standstill along Highway 99 near 11th Avenue for several hours as crews worked to clear the scene.
The incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.