The wreck occurred around 9:28 p.m. on Highway 14, north of Backus Road.
Mojave, CA. – John Anthony Johnson, 35, of Los Angeles, died in a head-on collision that happened Sunday night in Mojave, the Kern County Coroner's Office reported.
The wreck occurred around 9:28 p.m. on Highway 14, north of Backus Road.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident involved a white Chevrolet Malibu and a blue Mercedes-Benz.
Johnson was driving the Chevrolet in the No. 1 lane heading southbound on Highway 14, and another man was driving the Mercedes-Benz in the No. 1 lane of the northbound Highway 14.
Authorities said, for an unknown reason, Johnson veered to the left, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and travel across the dirt center median.
The Chevy entered the No. 1 lane of the northbound Hwy 14, directly into the path of the Mercedes-Benz, causing a head-on crash.
Emergency personnel pronounced Johnson dead at the scene.
The other driver was hospitalized with moderate to major injuries.
An investigation is ongoing.
Original Story
Mojave, CA. – At least one person died in a rollover collision that left two people pinned and requiring extrication Sunday night in Mojave, according to the California Highway Patrol logs.
The accident was reported around 9:28 p.m. on northbound State Route 14, just north of Backus Road.
A white Chevrolet Malibu collided with a sedan and overturned.
Four juveniles were inside one of the cars, and one of them was possibly pinned inside. A second person was also pinned inside the overturned vehicle.
The Kern County Fire Department responded to the scene shortly after the crash and freed the victims.
At least one person died in the crash, as per the report. The Kern County Coroner's Office responded to the scene following the death.
It was unclear if there were any other injuries reported.
The vehicles were towed away from the scene.
CHP is investigating the cause of the accident.
Kern County has a consistently high rate of deadly car crashes compared to state and national averages. Data for 2021 indicated that Kern County's motor vehicle fatality rate per 100,000 residents (19.2) was nearly double the national rate and more than double California's overall rate (10.4). In raw numbers, there were 176 deaths in 2021. While the 2021 data reported 211 total fatalities, recent data from 2024 shows a concerning trend, especially regarding specific types of incidents. Pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise, with 55 deaths reported in 2024, surpassing the 2023 total of 54, marking the fourth consecutive year with over 50 pedestrian deaths. A significant number of these, 43 in 2024, occurred at night. Furthermore, crashes involving young drivers (ages 13-20) in 2024 have more than doubled compared to 2023, with 18 deaths reported so far.
Seek Legal Help after a Deadly Car Accident
If you lost your loved one in this Mojave car crash, it is important to seek legal advice on the legal options you have as the next of kin. You need to get official documents indicating the cause of the collision and the supporting evidence so that you can defend your rights. Visit our wrongful death attorney page to learn more about car accident deaths.