A preliminary investigation determined that a gold Toyota Rav4 traveling on the northbound freeway lost control and crashed into the back of a blue Nissan Rogue stopped in the center median. Three juveniles riding in the Nissan were ejected
Lebec, CA – One of the two juveniles who were killed in a car accident on Christmas Day near Lebec has been identified as 9-year-old Jorge Preciado.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the wreck took place shortly before 3 p.m. December 25, on the Golden State (5) Freeway south of Vista Del Lago Road.
A preliminary investigation determined that a gold Toyota Rav4 traveling on the northbound freeway lost control and crashed into the back of a blue Nissan Rogue stopped in the center median. Three juveniles riding in the Nissan were ejected.
Despite life-saving efforts by medics,two of the children, including 9-year-old Jorge, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver, Jorge Preciado, was arrested on charges of child endangerment following the crash.
There was no update on the condition of the third minor.
An investigation by the California Highway Patrol is still ongoing.
Kern County consistently exhibits a higher traffic fatality rate compared to both the state and national averages, particularly concerning pedestrians and at intersections. Data for 2017–2021 indicates that the county's fatality rate per 100,000 residents was nearly double the national rate. Taft is relatively a small city but records a significant number of collisions. In 2023, the city recorded 40 injuries and deaths due to traffic-related incidents. Speed was determined to have been a factor in 15% of the accidents that year, indicating persistent safety challenges that need to be addressed to avoid a rise in the number of injuries and deaths due to car accidents.
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