Kern County, CA – On the night of Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at least one person was killed in a head-on traffic collision involving a passenger vehicle and a big rig in the Inyokern area, according to KBAK, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the crash occurred at approximately 10:15 PM on Highway 14 just north of Cow Heaven Canyon Road. Preliminary information indicates that the collision involved a vehicle and a semi-trailer traveling in opposite directions.
Emergency responders, including fire personnel and law enforcement officers, were dispatched to the scene. Due to the severity of the crash and the positioning of the vehicles, all lanes of Highway 14 were closed to traffic to allow responders to provide assistance and to secure the area.
Authorities confirmed that at least one person died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision. The Kern County Coroner’s Office was notified and responded to the scene as part of standard fatal-collision procedures. The identity of the deceased has not been released and will be disclosed by the coroner after notification of next of kin.
CHP officers coordinated with the California Department of Transportation to implement a hard closure and issue a traffic alert. Tow trucks were requested to remove multiple disabled vehicles, including the big rig and other involved passenger vehicles, once evidence collection and documentation were completed.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. CHP continues to review physical evidence, vehicle positions, and other factors to determine how the collision occurred.
Ongoing Investigations
Victims of traffic accidents and their families should be aware that authorities may fail to note or even misinterpret critical evidence at a crash site. One of the services that a Personal Injury Attorney can provide is to pursue follow-up investigations, which can reveal additional evidence to correct any errors made by previous investigators.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility.
Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
California Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
