Bakersfield, CA — Elizabeth Griffith, 14, has been identified as the young woman on an electric scooter who lost her life in a collision on the afternoon of Sunday, October 4, 2026, according to KGET.
The California Highway Patrol stated that the accident took place around 4:21 PM at Airport Drive and El Tejon Avenue near Meadows Field Airport in the Oildale area.
According to her family, Griffith had been returning from a local skate park when she attempted to cross Airport Drive at the El Tejon intersection, using a marked crosswalk equipped with proper signage and warning lights.
However, a 34-year-old man in a champagne-colored 2007 Kia Rio, who had been travelling northbound on Airport Drive at an undetermined speed, reportedly failed to yield and struck Griffith. Emergency medical responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
The Kia driver reportedly remained at the crash site and is cooperating with authorities. No criminal charges have been made at this time, and investigators do not suspect driver intoxication played a role in this fatal accident.
This is an ongoing investigation, and CHP asks any witnesses who may have information regarding the crash to come forward.
Bakersfield Pedestrian Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law treats electric scooter riders who are crossing the road on foot, like Elizabeth Griffith had been at the time of the crash, as pedestrians and expects drivers to exercise the same duty of care toward them that it does for other pedestrians. Drivers are required to stay alert for pedestrians near California roadways, make all reasonable efforts to avoid a collision, and if one occurs, to stay with the victim, assist them in finding medical attention, and cooperate with law enforcement.
Even if the driver involved faces no criminal charges, Griffith’s family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim with the driver’s insurance provider. While no amount of money can replace a person who is taken from us in a pedestrian collision, the costs associated with their passing should not fall upon their families when another person’s negligence is at fault. A wrongful death claim can provide compensation for funeral costs, their surviving family’s pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.
Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident similar to the one described here at Airport Drive and El Tejon Avenue near Meadows Field Airport, which resulted in the death of Elizabeth Griffith, consider reaching out to a California wrongful death lawyer with any questions and to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
