Bakersfield, CA – On the evening of Sunday, August 10, 2025, Hector Javier De Leon Saldana, 32, of Bell Gardens, was killed in an ATV crash in northeast Bakersfield, according to KBAK.

The Bakersfield Police Department reports that the incident occurred shortly after 8 PM in the fields just south of the 11000 block of Highway 178. Responding officers arrived to find fire crews extinguishing flames from the ATV and surrounding dry grass. 

Authorities said Saldana died at the scene, while two other individuals who had been ejected from the vehicle sustained minor-to-moderate injuries. Both were transported to Kern Medical for treatment. The Kern County Coroner’s Office later confirmed Saldana’s identity.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League stated Thursday morning that Saldana was a Los Angeles Police Department officer assigned to the Wilshire Area. The organization reported that he died while camping with loved ones. Surviving family members include his partner Dulce, their 2-year-old son, his parents, and two siblings.

A Blue Ribbon Trust Account has been established to assist the family with funeral expenses and ongoing needs.

Single-Vehicle Collisions

In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility. California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages.

Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer

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