Bakersfield, CA- Man Dead Following Truck Crash on Hwy 99

Bakersfield, CA (June 21, 2019)- A Montana resident passed away in a semi-truck crash on Thursday on Highway 99 near Herring Road and South Union Avenue.

The California Highway Patrol reported that the crash first reported at approximately 11:59 pm. CHP Bakersfield officers received calls that a Kia Optima was stopped in the traffic lanes north of Herring Road.

By 12:01 am Friday, additional calls were received about a semi-truck on Highway 99 south of South Union Avenue. When officials arrived at the scene, they found a 2011 Freightliner with a 53-foot trailer involved in a crash with a 2019 Kia Optima.

The Kia driver, a 41-year-old Dillon, Montana resident, had stopped his vehicle partially on the shoulder of the No. 3 lane south of South Union Avenue. The semi-truck driver, who was traveling south of South Union Avenue in the No. 3 lane at approximately 55 miles per hour, reportedly noticed the Kia’s lights just after checking the truck’s mirrors.

The driver braked and veered left in an attempt to avoid the Kia, but ultimately a collision could not be avoided. The force of the crash sent the Kia across the gore point to the west lane shoulder of the on-ramp to South Union Avenue.

The tractor-trailer arrived at a stop in the gore point’s gravel area after jackknifing.

It is currently unclear if the truck driver was injured. The Kia driver passed away at the scene.

The CHP’s Bakersfield office has opened an investigation into the crash. They are exploring the possibility of substances being a factor in the crash’s cause.

We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased at this time.  Our thoughts are with them.

California’s Big Rig Accidents

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that 361 people were killed in California in 2017 in accidents with large trucks. In addition to these deaths, hundreds of people are injured in crashes with large cargo trucks every year in California.

If you’ve been hurt or lost a loved one in a crash with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, an attorney experienced in large truck accidents can help you navigate the legal system and receive the compensation you deserve. The Brady Law Group’s lawyers are ready to listen to your side of the story and help you move forward. Even though a wrongful death suit can’t bring your loved one back, and a personal injury case can’t heal your wounds, many people feel a sense of justice and closure after receiving what they’re due. Contact us at 866-478-6483 to reserve a complimentary consultation with one of our truck accident attorneys.

Note: Outside sources were used in the creation of this post including news bulletins and first-hand accounts of the accident and injuries involved. As a result, the details of the accident presented have not been independently verified by our own writing staff. If you have identified any false information in the story, please inform us immediately, and we will adjust the posting to reflect the most accurate content available.

Disclaimer: As a member of the local community, we at Brady Law Group strive to improve the overall safety and quality of life for everyone who lives in our beloved state. We are extremely saddened by these accidents but hope that, through an awareness of these dangers, those in our community will take precautions to avoid these accidents. This is not a solicitation for business, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. We wish only the best and quickest recovery to all those involved in the accident.