The incident happened around 2:32 a.m. on southbound Highway 99 near Taft Highway.
Bakersfield, CA – A man died after he was struck by two vehicles on Monday, December 29, on Highway 99 in Bakersfield, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The incident happened around 2:32 a.m. on southbound Highway 99 near Taft Highway.
An initial investigation revealed that a man was walking southbound on Highway 99 in the No. 3 lane.
At the same time, an unknown vehicle was traveling southbound on the highway in the No. 3 lane, approaching the pedestrian.
For an unknown reason, the vehicle struck the pedestrian.
The driver of the car fled the scene, leaving the victim unresponsive in the No. 3 lane.
Authorities said at approximately 2:36 a.m., a Honda was traveling southbound on Hwy 99 in the No. 3 lane, approaching the pedestrian. The driver was unable to avoid a crash and hit the pedestrian. That driver stopped and contacted authorities.
The pedestrian died from severe injuries sustained in the initial crash.
The CHP Bakersfield Area Office is investigating the accident.
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. 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. 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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