Two Killed in Hwy 43 Head-on Crash in Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA — According to KBAK, early Sunday morning, May 12, 2024, a head-on collision on Highway 43 claimed the lives of a man and a 69-year-old woman.

The fatal crash occurred at approximately 3:34 AM on northbound Highway 43, just north of Pond Road, involving a Honda traveling northbound and a Dodge traveling southbound on the highway.

As the two vehicles approached each other, the Honda suddenly veered to the left, directly into the path of the oncoming Dodge for unknown reasons. The driver of the Dodge was unable to avoid the collision, resulting in a devastating head-on impact.

The sole occupant of the Honda and one of the passengers in the Dodge were pronounced dead at the scene. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.

The driver of the Dodge, along with two other passengers, sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their current conditions have not been disclosed.

The CHP continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine the exact cause and any potential contributing factors.

Wrongful Death Claims

Establishing fault in a collision can depend on multiple factors. Helping to determine legal liability is one of the ways that a personal injury attorney can help grieving families recovering from the loss of a loved one in a traffic accident.

Suppose it is determined that another party holds some portion of responsibility for their loved one’s death. In that case, they may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver. A wrongful death claim can provide compensation to help cover hospital fees, burial costs, and the loss of support for dependents of the deceased.