Kern County, CA – On the evening of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a multi-vehicle collision near Ridgecrest resulted in at least one fatality, according to KBAK, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 10:31 PM on US-395 at Bowman Road, just west of Ridgecrest.
Authorities said the collision involved a jackknifed big rig, a FedEx truck, a pickup truck, and a sedan, with the pickup truck overturning off the roadway and catching fire. The big rig was also reported to have begun catching fire at the time of the initial call.
A burned SUV was located approximately 20 feet off the roadway on the driver’s side. Debris was scattered across a field spanning approximately 300 feet by 30 feet, requiring cleanup crews from two tow companies.
Two heavy-duty tow trucks were requested for the big rig and FedEx truck, along with a flatbed for the burned SUV. Caltrans implemented a hard closure, diverting southbound traffic off US-395 at Highway 178 and northbound traffic at China Lake Boulevard, with additional traffic diverted to Brown Road.
The Office of Emergency Services was notified. Caltrans assessed the scene for hazmat concerns and plowed the roadway as part of the cleanup effort. The Kern County Coroner was notified and responded from Bakersfield. The roadway was reopened at approximately 7:21 AM.
No additional details regarding the identity of the deceased had been released at the time of reporting. The investigation remains ongoing.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s comparative negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility.
Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
California Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California truck accident lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
