Kern County, CA – In the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026, a head-on collision resulted in the deaths of three Taft men, and left four others injured, according to KBAK.
Those who lost their lives have been identified as:
- Jacobo Yesca Paz, 43
- Pablo Galindo Quiahua, 54
- Raul Velasco Torres, 35
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 5:22 AM on Copus Road west of Old River Road.
Authorities said Yesca Paz was driving a gray 2003 Nissan Sentra eastbound on Copus Road when the vehicle crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a blue 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan driven by a 60-year-old Bakersfield man. As a result of the impact, Yesca Paz and his two passengers, Galindo Quiahua and Velasco Torres, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two additional passengers in the Nissan sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate, as did the driver and passenger of the Honda. CHP has not determined why the Nissan crossed the center line.
Units arrived at the scene within a minute of the initial report and confirmed both lanes were blocked by the wreckage. A tow was requested from Golden Empire Towing shortly after, and coroner’s units were called to the scene roughly 45 minutes later. County road crews managed the closure over the following hours, and Copus Road remained shut in both directions for several hours while the investigation and vehicle removal were completed. The Kern County Coroner’s Office formally identified the three victims.
Whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash remains under investigation.
Kern County Car Accidents and Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Claims
California law prohibits drivers from crossing the center line into oncoming traffic and requires all motorists to maintain proper lane discipline at all times. When a driver crosses into opposing lanes and causes a fatal head-on collision, that driver’s estate may be considered to have committed negligence per se, increasing its share of liability for the resulting deaths and injuries.
Because the crash caused injuries across both vehicles in addition to the three fatalities, multiple parties may ultimately have grounds for claims, and the extent of insurance coverage could shape how those claims are resolved.
The families of Yesca Paz, Galindo Quiahua, and Velasco Torres may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim, while those injured in the Honda and the surviving occupants of the Nissan may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim, both of which can provide compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs, lost income, and other damages tied to the crash.
Kern County Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, on Copus Road west of Old River Road, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
