Bakersfield, CA – The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified Mohammad Arsalan Ali, 35, as the pedestrian who lost his life following a collision on the afternoon of Friday, May 3, 2025, according to KGET.
The Bakersfield Police Department reports that the accident took place around 4:00 PM near 23rd and L streets.
Authorities said Ali was in the roadway and outside of the designated crosswalk when he was struck by a vehicle. He was transported to Kern Medical for treatment of life-threatening injuries and remained hospitalized until he was pronounced dead on May 17.
The driver involved remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Police indicated that neither speed nor intoxication appeared to be contributing factors in the crash. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause and manner of Ali’s death.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as if they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is subject to only partial liability in a pedestrian accident. Should that be the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
