Taft, CA — On the evening of Saturday, September 26, 2026, a multi-vehicle crash resulted in three men losing their lives and a fourth person being injured, according to KGET, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The deceased have been identified as follows:
- Matiniano Hernandez Zamora, 22, of Taft
- Jose Ivan Martinez Birrueta, 29, of Bakersfield
- Nathan Steve Martinez, 26, of Bakersfield
The Kern County Coroner has also confirmed that Birrueta and Martinez were brothers.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal accident took place around 7:40 PM near Harrison Street on Taft Highway (State Route 119), a desert highway that connects Taft to Bakersfield.
Investigators have determined that Zamora was driving a pickup truck eastbound on Taft Highway and collided with a sedan driven by Birrueta, with Martinez in the front passenger seat.
Both the pickup and sedan caught fire in the crash, and none of the occupants appeared able to escape their vehicles.
The pickup continued forward to also collide with a third vehicle. The driver of the third vehicle is the only person involved to have survived this fatal crash, and they received transportation to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Kern County Accidents and Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Claims
The families of Birrueta and Martinez may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim with Zamora’s insurance provider. While no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one, a wrongful death claim can provide compensation for funeral expenses and damages such as the loss of companionship and financial support for dependents of the deceased.
The driver in the third vehicle may also have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim, which can compensate for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages stemming from the accident.
Should the negligence of an outside party, like the vehicle manufacturer in the case of equipment error, also be determined to have contributed to Zamora’s death, his family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against them as well. However, the settlement provided from such a claim would be reduced by the degree to which Zamora’s own actions were liable in his passing.
Kern County Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Claims
If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident like this one near Harrison Street on Taft Highway, consider reaching out to a California personal injury lawyer with any questions and to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
