Kernville, CA – On the afternoon of Saturday, September 19, 2026, a suspected DUI single-vehicle collision resulted in the death of Brandon Patrick Hollifield, 38, of Onyx, and left a passenger with major injuries, according to KGET.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 1:10 PM on Sierra Way, a mountainous roadway winding along the Kern River canyon.
Authorities said Hollifield was driving a blue 2019 Ford Super Duty pickup northbound on Sierra Way when he veered off the roadway and crashed into a canyon wall, causing the vehicle to overturn several times.
Hollifield was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The Kern County Coroner’s Office formally identified him following his death. A passenger sustained major injuries and was transported to Kern Medical.
CHP said drugs and alcohol appear to have been factors in the crash. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact CHP Bakersfield.
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.”
Kernville DUI Accidents and Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Claims
California law prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and a driver who causes a fatal crash while impaired may be considered to have committed negligence per se, increasing his estate’s share of liability for the resulting death.
Because Hollifield’s own impairment appears to have caused the crash, his estate would generally bear liability for the passenger’s injuries, and the passenger’s right to pursue a personal injury claim against his estate does not depend on identifying any other at-fault party. Hollifield’s own family, by contrast, would need to show that another party’s negligence, such as inadequate canyon wall barriers, contributed to the crash in order to pursue a wrongful death claim on his behalf. Either type of claim, where available, can provide compensation for the losses specific to it, including funeral expenses and loss of financial support for a wrongful death claim, or medical expenses and lost wages for a personal injury claim.
Kernville Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, on Sierra Way, contact a California personal injury lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
