Bakersfield, CA – On the afternoon of Thursday, May 29, 2026, a suspected DUI motorcycle collision left a passenger injured and led to felony charges against Matthew James Smith III, 18, according to KGET.
The Bakersfield Police Department reports that the accident took place around 2:30 PM in the area of Panorama Drive and Union Avenue.
Authorities said Smith lost control of the motorcycle and struck a guardrail. The passenger was thrown down an embankment, knocked unconscious, and sustained multiple scrapes and bruising. The crash occurred hours before Smith and his passenger were due to graduate from high school, with caps and gowns found scattered over the crash site.
Officers said Smith performed poorly on field sobriety tests and provided breath samples registering above the 0.08% legal limit. As a person under 21, Smith would have been in violation of the law with a blood-alcohol content as low as 0.01%. He also did not hold a license to operate a motorcycle and could not provide proof of insurance.
Smith pleaded not guilty on Monday to two counts of felony driving under the influence causing injury, along with infractions of operating a motorcycle without a proper license, failure to provide insurance, and driving with a measurable blood-alcohol content while under 21.
He is due back in court on June 11. The investigation remains ongoing.
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.”
Passenger Liability
A driver’s liability coverage extends to those inside their vehicle as well as outside. In many cases, those passengers are someone who knows the driver personally. So, when a passenger is injured and their driver is found liable, they may feel reluctant to file a claim against the driver’s insurance.
In many cases, however, a personal injury claim may be required for an insurer to offer a fair settlement that covers the injured party’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident. A personal injury attorney can facilitate this process and, as a neutral third party, help navigate any emotional complexities that may arise.
Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
