Bakersfield, CA – On the evening of Saturday, July 18, 2026, a hit-and-run resulted in a person losing their life in the 3600 block of Union Avenue, according to KGET.
The Bakersfield Police Department reports that the accident took place around 10:45 PM in the 3600 block of Union Avenue.
Authorities said the person had exited a vehicle in the number one lane, traveling northbound on Union Avenue, when another vehicle traveling northbound in the number two lane struck them.
The person was found lying in the roadway with injuries and was transported to a hospital, where they later died. The driver did not stop and fled the scene immediately following the collision.
Speed was not a factor in the crash, though it remains unknown whether intoxication played a role. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Bakersfield Police Department. The investigation remains ongoing.
California Hit-and-Run Laws
California Law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop their vehicle, notify law enforcement, and exchange insurance information with others involved. Failure to do so, considered to be a “hit-and-run,” is a misdemeanor in cases of property damage and a felony when someone has been injured.
Bakersfield Hit-and-Run Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law requires drivers involved in any collision to stop, render aid, and remain at the scene to cooperate with law enforcement. A driver who flees the scene of a fatal crash is likely to face criminal charges in addition to civil liability, and a driver who violates this duty may be considered to have committed negligence per se, increasing their share of liability in the collision.
Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, the victim’s family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can provide the family with compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the fatal accident.
Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, in the 3600 block of Union Avenue, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
