Kern County, CA – On the evening of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a multi-vehicle collision resulted in the death of Harmony Anne Hoyer, 20, of Ridgecrest, according to KBAK.
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 driven by Hoyer, 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.
Hoyer was pronounced dead at the scene. The Kern County Coroner’s Office formally identified her following the crash.
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 roadway was reopened at approximately 7:21 AM.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Kern County Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law requires commercial truck drivers to operate their vehicles with a duty of care toward those they share the road with. That includes maintaining proper control to avoid jackknifing and colliding with other vehicles on the roadway. Investigators with California law enforcement examine factors such as speed, vehicle maintenance, and driver conduct to determine what role each vehicle involved may have played in causing the fatal chain-reaction collision.
Regardless of the findings, Hoyer’s family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can provide the family with compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the fatal accident.
Kern County Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, on US-395 at Bowman Road near Ridgecrest, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
