Bakersfield, CA – In the early hours of Sunday, July 27, 2025, a suspected DUI crash on Fairfax Road claimed the life of Salvador Gallegos Jr., 35, of Bakersfield, according to KBAK.

Bakersfield Police Department officers responded to the scene at approximately 12:35 AM on Fairfax Road, just south of Alfred Harrell Highway. 

Upon arrival, they located two vehicles involved in the crash, a black pickup truck and a silver sedan. The driver of the silver sedan, identified by the Kern County Coroner’s Office as Gallegos, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police determined that the driver of the black pickup, Juan Rangel, 40, of Bakersfield, had been traveling south on Fairfax Road when he crossed into the northbound lane and collided with the sedan. Rangel sustained minor injuries in the crash.

After conducting a preliminary investigation, officers concluded that Rangel may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He was placed under arrest for DUI. Following treatment at a nearby hospital, Rangel is expected to be booked into the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility on charges of DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

The incident remains under investigation by the Bakersfield Police Department.

California DUI Law

Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”

Wrongful Death Claims

Even if a fatal accident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, families who lose a loved one can still file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide support to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income.

Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.