Bakersfield, CA – A 25-year-old woman lost her life on Monday morning, January 12, 2026, after being hit by a vehicle on South Union Avenue, according to KGET, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
California Highway Patrol officers were dispatched around 6:17 AM to the 5300 block of South Union Avenue near Garden Drive following reports of a vehicle versus pedestrian collision. Upon arrival, officers and fire personnel located the woman in the roadway.
Investigators said the woman was walking eastbound in traffic and may have been outside of a marked crosswalk when she was struck by a silver sedan traveling southbound in the No. 2 lane. The vehicle was estimated to be traveling at approximately 40 miles per hour at the time of the collision.
Emergency responders pronounced the woman dead at the scene. The Kern County Coroner’s Office responded and later took custody of the victim as part of standard post-collision procedures.
CHP stated that impairment was not a factor for the driver involved in the crash. It remains unknown whether impairment was a factor for the pedestrian.
The involved vehicle was documented and towed as evidence, and the roadway was partially restricted while investigators conducted scene measurements, photographs, and evidence collection. The collision remains under investigation, and no additional details were immediately released.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Drivers have a Duty of Care towards pedestrians, which includes being vigilant for those travelling by foot and, if a collision occurs, staying with the victim, alerting emergency responders, and cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.
For those who lose a loved one in a pedestrian accident, filing a Wrongful Death claim with the assistance of an experienced attorney can provide compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, and other related damages.
Should the at-fault driver evade authorities, compensation might still be available through a family member’s uninsured driver coverage. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help determine the best options in such cases.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as if they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is subject to only partial liability in a pedestrian accident. Should that be the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
