Published: July 20, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Bakersfield, CA) – A man died early Sunday after he was struck by several vehicles on southbound Highway 99 in Bakersfield, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP reported that officers were dispatched at about 1:48 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, to southbound Highway 99 just south of White Lane following reports of a collision involving multiple vehicles and a pedestrian.
Investigators said a preliminary review indicated that a man walked onto the southbound lanes from the shoulder and into the path of an oncoming vehicle. That vehicle struck the man, and he was then hit by additional vehicles, the CHP said. He was declared dead at the scene.
According to the CHP, several drivers stayed at the location and cooperated with the investigation. Officers said other vehicles may have been involved and left the area, and that the inquiry is ongoing. The agency added that it was not yet known whether alcohol or drugs played any role. The CHP 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 Pedestrian Collision
This account describes only what the CHP has released in a preliminary report, and no conclusions about responsibility should be drawn from it. Fatal crashes involving pedestrians on a freeway are legally complex because the duties of care are shared, and investigators typically spend weeks reconstructing the sequence of events before any determination is made.
In California, drivers owe a general duty of ordinary care under Civil Code section 1714(a), and the Basic Speed Law in Vehicle Code section 22350 requires motorists to travel at a speed that is reasonable for conditions such as darkness and visibility. At the same time, Vehicle Code section 21954 places a duty on a pedestrian crossing a roadway outside a crosswalk to yield to vehicles that are close enough to be an immediate hazard, while still preserving each driver's duty to use due care. Where a crash occurs on a freeway in the early morning, investigators often examine visibility, vehicle speeds, and the movements of everyone involved.
Because more than one vehicle reportedly struck the pedestrian, questions of comparative responsibility may arise. Civil Code section 1431.2 directs that non-economic damages be allocated in proportion to each party's share of fault, and Evidence Code section 669 allows a presumption of negligence when a person violates a safety statute that proximately causes the type of harm the law was meant to prevent. Whether any of these principles applies here depends entirely on facts that have not yet been established, including the CHP's search for vehicles that may have left the scene.
When a death results from a collision, California law provides avenues for the decedent's family and estate. A wrongful death action may be pursued by the heirs identified in Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, and a survival claim may proceed through the decedent's representative under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.30. The measure of recoverable damages is set out in Civil Code section 3333, and any such claim is generally subject to the two-year filing deadline in Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1.
What Families and Survivors Can Do
Families grappling with a sudden loss should request the CHP collision report once it becomes available, keep any medical and funeral records, and note that drivers involved in an injury or fatal crash have their own reporting obligations under Vehicle Code sections 20008 and 16000. Because a hit-and-run element and multiple vehicles are involved, preserving evidence early can matter, and it is often useful to speak with an attorney about how the statutory deadlines apply to a particular situation. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A California pedestrian accident attorney 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_PED – CHP: Man killed after being hit by multiple vehicles on Highway 99 in Bakersfield: https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/chp-man-killed-after-being-hit-by-multiple-vehicles-on-highway-99-in-bakersfield-kern-county-california
