Bakersfield, CA – Late on the night of Sunday, June 15, 2025, a female bicyclist was killed in a collision on Roberts Lane, according to KBAK, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the incident occurred just after 11:30 PM in the 200 block of Roberts Lane, east of Plymouth Avenue. Emergency personnel from the Kern County Fire Department and CHP responded to the scene.

According to investigators, a 21-year-old driver was heading westbound on Roberts Lane at a speed estimated between 35 and 40 MPH when the bicyclist entered the roadway outside of a marked crosswalk and directly into the vehicle’s path. The area lacked street lighting, and the bicycle was reportedly not equipped with lights or reflective gear.

The front of the vehicle struck the right side of the bicycle, ejecting the rider. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.

CHP confirmed that the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. The investigation is ongoing, but no immediate charges or citations have been announced.

Partial Liability in Bicycle Accidents

California Law does not consider bicyclists to have the right-of-way under all circumstances. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide bicyclists with a Duty of Care toward their safety. 

It may therefore be determined that a motorist is held only partially liable in a bicycle accident. Should that be the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.