New details in fatal Union Avenue wreck: alleged drunk driver was underage
The reality is that too many people still drink and drive — often with deadly consequences. The latest case in point, a fiery crash Tuesday night in central Bakersfield that left one person dead and two others seriously injured. The collision was caught on camera just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night, at the intersection of Union and East California avenues.
A white BMW headed northbound on Union Avenue ran a red light and crashed into a Dodge Charger that was headed westbound on East California on a green light.
The crash left the 27-year-old driver of the Charger dead.
BPD confirmed with 17 News all three involved were men — the driver of the BMW — who was moderately injured — is 19; the passenger — in unstable condition — is 20.
Detectives said both remain in the hospital.
'The driver of the Dodge was pinned inside the vehicle, so officers would've had to wait for fire department personnel to arrive,' said Sgt. Joshua Deutinger, with the BPD traffic division.
The BMW crashed into the fence next to San Joaquin Tractor Company, narrowly missing the business, and caught fire.
First responders and passerbys rushed to distance them from the car.
'With how north they came from the intersection and the separation of those cars, it definitely speaks to the speed that was involved in the collision,' Sgt. Deutinger noted.
In addition to speeding, underage drinking and driving under the influence is suspected by the 19-year-old in the BMW.
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The sergeant said toxicology results aren't yet available. He also said the deceased driver of the Charger likely was not speeding, nor driving impaired.
The speed limit out is 40 miles-per-hour in the area of the wreck. An employee told 17 News speeding and running red lights in this area is not uncommon.
'Usually in that intersection, if there is a major injury crash, a lot of times, speed does have to do with that,' the sergeant said.
Chris Hagan with the local law firm, Chain Cohn Clark agreed.
'Union [Avenue] is heavily travelled by pedestrians…and so, we do see a lot of automobiles versus pedestrian fatals on Union,' said Hagan.
Hagan detailed that in 2024, there were 37 DUI-related deaths and 731 DUI-related injuries in Kern County.
'In Kern County, we have the highest arrest record in the nation for drivers who are under the influence,' Hagan said of the local severity of driving impaired. 'You are more likely to be involved in a DUI collision in Kern County as compared to virtually any other city or any other county in the nation.'
The local advocacy organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) offers resources for victims and their families. You can reach them at 661-203-3996.
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