On Friday morning, a man lost his life following a two-vehicle accident in Bakersfield while officers arrested 25-year-old Christian Valencia, of Arvin, for driving under the influence.
Officers actively responded to the intersection of Hughes Lane and White Lane just before 12:30 a.m. after getting reports of a car crash. According to the reports, officers noticed a BMW driving recklessly at 12:26 a.m. in the area of South H Street and Planz Road but they lost sight of it. Shortly after, they learned that the car had crashed into a Toyota Camry.
The BMW reportedly failed to stop at a red light at a fast speed and slammed into the Toyota. The driver of the Toyota suffered major injuries and was declared dead at the scene by the officials. Paramedics transported Valencia, the BMW driver, to a hospital with moderate injuries.
Officers reported that Valencia was driving under the influence of alcohol and a suspected controlled substance. They detained him for DUI and vehicular homicide. Valencia remains hospitalized and will be booked into the Kern County jail once he is released. No other details are available.
An investigation is ongoing.
May 14, 2022