Bakersfield, CA — Francisco Javier Pantoja Juarez, 38, of Arvin has been identified as the passenger killed in a fatal head-on crash on the evening of Friday, October 9, 2026, according to KBAK.
California Highway Patrol officers received reports of the accident at approximately 6:44 PM on Wheeler Ridge Road near Creekside Drive, in a rural area close to Creekside Airport south of Lamont.
According to investigators, a 2016 Honda CR-V driven by an unidentified woman was carrying Pantoja Juarez in the right-front seat as it traveled northbound on Wheeler Ridge Road at an undetermined rate of speed.
Meanwhile, a 2012 Toyota Tacoma driven by a man identified as Omar Antonio Vasquez, 26, of Arvin, was traveling southbound on Wheeler Ridge Road, approaching Creekside Drive, also at an undetermined speed.
Then, CHP alleges that Vasquez made an unsafe turning movement, which caused the Toyota to cross a broken yellow line into oncoming traffic, where it collided head-on with the Honda.
The force of the impact left Pantoja Juarez with injuries that proved fatal, and medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
The Honda driver sustained major injuries from the crash and Vasquez received moderate injuries.
Authorities arrested Vasquez on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit-and-run resulting in death or permanent serious injury, which can be tried as a felony.
On Tuesday, October 13, Vasquez appeared in court for arraignment. He pleaded not guilty to all counts. Vasquez was driving with a BAC of .15, according to court documents. In California, the standard legal limit is .08.
Fatal Accidents in Bakersfield and Wrongful Death Claims
If convicted of DUI, Vasquez may be considered to have committed “negligence per se.” This means that by having violated a traffic safety law, he will have met the legal definition of negligence.
Pantoja Juarez’s family may have grounds for a wrongful death claim with Vasquez’s insurance provider. A wrongful death claim can provide grieving families with compensation for damages such as funeral expenses and the loss of companionship and support provided by the deceased.
The Honda driver may also have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.
Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident like the one described here, on Wheeler Ridge Road near Creekside Drive, a Bakersfield wrongful death lawyer will be happy to answer any questions and provide a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
