Bakersfield, CA — On the evening of Friday, October 9, 2026, a hit-and-run collision resulted in a pedestrian losing their life and led to the arrest of 29-year-old Patience Ervin, according to KGET.
The Bakersfield Police Department reports that the fatal accident took place at approximately 10:20 PM in the 900 block of Brundage Lane at P Street, a busy commercial thoroughfare in Central Bakersfield.
According to investigators, the pedestrian, identified only as a man, was attempting to cross South P Street at a marked crosswalk, although it was determined that he may have been doing so against a red light. Ervin is suspected to have been traveling westbound on Brundage Lane when she struck the pedestrian, but failed to stop at the crash site.
The impact resulted in the pedestrian receiving severe injuries. Emergency responders provided him with transportation to a hospital for treatment where, despite life-saving efforts, he succumbed to his wounds.
Around thirty minutes after the fatal pedestrian crash, officers with the Bakersfield Police Department found Ervin and arrested her on charges of felony hit-and-run resulting in death. Excessive speed and driver intoxication are not believed to have contributed to this accident.
Bakersfield Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Runs and Wrongful Death Claims
California law expects drivers to exercise a heighted duty of care toward nearby pedestrians, including making every effort to avoid a collision, even if — as it appears it may have been in this case — the pedestrian might have been crossing against a red light. Should a driver strike a pedestrian, drivers are required to stay with the injured victim, help them to find medical assistance, and cooperate with law enforcement. Failure to do so is considered a felony.
If convicted of hit-and-run, Evin may also be considered to have committed “negligence per se,” which means that parties involved in an accident who violate the law may authomatically be considered to have acted negligently, increasing their share of liability.
Regardless of the outcome of any legal proceedings, the family of the pedestrian killed in this hit-and-run may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can provide compensation for damages such as funeral expenses and the loss of companionship and support.
Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident similar to the one described here near Brundage Lane and P Street, consider reaching out to a Bakersfield wrongful death lawyer with any questions and to receive a no-cost no-obligation case evaluation.
