Published: August 18, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Bakersfield, CA) – Three people were killed and several others were hurt in a wrong-way collision on Highway 99 in Bakersfield over the weekend, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said the crash occurred just after midnight on Sunday, August 16, along southbound Highway 99, north of Seventh Standard Road. According to the agency, one of the drivers involved had been heading northbound in the southbound lanes, though investigators said they had not yet determined which vehicle was traveling the wrong direction.
Investigators reported that three vehicles were involved. A CHP release stated the crash "involved a 2022 Honda Accord driven by an unidentified female, a 2019 BMW 530I driven by a 44-year-old male, and a 2022 Chevrolet Colorado driven by a 41-year-old female." The CHP said the collision set the Honda on fire, and the three people inside were killed.
The man driving the BMW was seriously hurt and taken to a hospital, according to the CHP, while the two people in the Chevrolet suffered only minor injuries. Investigators said it remained unclear whether drugs or alcohol were a factor. The CHP described the case as an active investigation and asked anyone with information to contact its Bakersfield office.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the Highway 99 Wrong-Way Collision
When a wrong-way crash on a divided highway results in deaths and injuries, investigators typically work to establish which vehicle was traveling against traffic and what conditions contributed. Vehicle Code section 21651(b) makes it unlawful to drive on a divided highway other than to the right of the dividing section, and section 21651(c) treats a willful violation causing injury or death as a chargeable offense. Whether that framework applies here would depend on facts the CHP has said it has not yet confirmed, including which vehicle crossed into oncoming lanes.
If evidence eventually shows that a driver operated a vehicle in an unlawful manner with gross negligence, prosecutors could examine whether the conduct falls under the vehicular manslaughter definition in Penal Code section 192(c). Any such determination rests entirely on the investigation's findings, which remain open. Separately, California's Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, requires drivers to travel at a speed that is reasonable given road and traffic conditions; investigators often review speed alongside other factors in a multi-vehicle collision.
In the civil context, Civil Code section 1714(a) provides that a person is responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care. Under Evidence Code section 669, a driver's violation of a safety statute can give rise to a presumption of negligence if that violation proximately caused the type of harm the statute was meant to prevent and the injured party is within the protected class. Where more than one party may share responsibility, Civil Code section 1431.2 governs how non-economic damages are allocated according to each party's percentage of fault.
Because three people died, California's wrongful-death and survival statutes may become relevant to the families. Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 identifies who may bring a wrongful-death claim, generally a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, or certain other heirs, while section 377.30 addresses survival actions passing to a decedent's successor in interest. The measure of any recovery is guided by Civil Code section 3333, which allows compensation for all detriment proximately caused.
What Families and Survivors Can Do
After a fatal or serious crash, it helps to obtain the CHP collision report once it is available, keep records of medical treatment, and preserve any photographs, dashcam footage, or contact information for witnesses. Drivers involved in an injury or fatal crash generally must file a written report with law enforcement within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and report to the DMV within 10 days under Vehicle Code section 16000. California's two-year deadline for personal-injury claims under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 can pass quickly, and different timelines apply to minors and to claims involving public entities. Families weighing their options may find it useful to speak with an attorney early. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A California car accident lawyer at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. GNEWS_CA_COLLISION – 3 killed, multiple injured in wrong-way crash on Highway 99 in Bakersfield: https://www.turnto23.com/news/in-your-neighborhood/bakersfield/3-killed-multiple-injured-in-wrong-way-crash-on-highway-99-in-bakersfield
