A devastating collision in northern Kern County claimed a Porterville woman’s life and left another victim badly injured Tuesday afternoon. The California Highway Patrol said the tragic accident occurred sometime before 4 p.m. along Highway 65 near the intersection of Highway 155 east of Delano on June 15, 2021.
Highway Patrol officers found that a gray Honda Accord was traveling southbound at high speeds when the driver crossed over the double yellow lines on Highway 65 into oncoming traffic. The error left the Honda in the path of a Nissan traveling northbound. As the Nissan swerved to attempt to avoid a collision the Honda struck the Nissan’s left side.
KGET-TV reported that the Honda came to rest in the northbound lane while the Nissan came to rest in a field nearby. A 31-year-old Portersville woman was pronounced dead on the scene. A 52-year-old Lamont man was rushed to Kern Medical in Bakersfield for treatment for major injuries.
The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the accident.
Traffic Dangers on Kern County Highways
Speeding drivers take avoidable risks that put other motorists in danger every day across Kern County. Emergency response crews witness the devastating effects of these reckless choices each year. The county recorded 3,570 collisions in 2020 alone. Those accidents led to a shocking 5,177 injuries and a tragic 202 lives lost.
When drivers decide to travel in an unsafe manner, their reckless decisions affect the safety of others on the road. Tragic losses in traffic accidents can affect entire communities and leave families to continue their lives without the love and guidance provided by a precious loved one.
We could all stand to show more concern for everyone using our roads and do our best to make the safest choices when getting behind the wheel or deciding to give the car keys to someone else.
Support for Victims and Families After Kern County Accidents
If you or a loved one was the victim of a careless driver, you should be wary of contact with insurance agents in the days following an accident. Insurance companies can seek to limit the support they have to provide victims and families after their policyholder has caused a serious accident. They may even try to transfer the blame to innocent victims in order to avoid providing compensation.
Be sure to speak to an attorney in your area about your family’s options. You can visit our informational page for victims and families who have been devastated by a car accident.
