A man was left with life-threatening injuries after a tragic hit-and-run pedestrian crash in central Bakersfield late Sunday night. The Bakersfield Police Department responded to the scene around 10:45 p.m. on September 11, 2022.
KERO-TV reported the victim was found in the roadway on P Street near Lowell Park. The victim was rushed to the hospital and listed in critical condition.
Police investigators determined that the driver involved left the scene. The motorist was not located and at last word the hit-and-run suspect remained on the run.
Officers say the car was described as a black sedan with driver-side front-end damage. Investigators believe speed was likely a factor in the accident. If you have any information about where the hit-and-run suspect may be or where the car is, please contact the Bakersfield Police Department.
Pedestrian Accidents Rates on the Rise in Bakersfield Entering 2022
Pedestrians traveling Bakersfield streets have been at increased risk of accidents for many years now. They often struggle to find safe crosswalks and drivers who are paying attention and will make eye contact with them as they attempt to cross the road.
California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) records dangers for those on foot in Bakersfield each year. In 2019, pedestrian accident rates were considered quite high. The year saw 153 pedestrian collisions involving injury and 16 tragic deaths.
Pedestrian accidents fell to 104 incidents in 2020, although that year saw 15 fatal accidents in Bakersfield. It was partially a positive trend that may have been made possible by more drivers staying off Bakersfield streets during the pandemic. Unfortunately, 2021 saw an increase towards pre-pandemic numbers as pedestrian crashes jumped to 113 incidents.
It remains to be seen if 2022 can reverse the climb to elevated pedestrian accident levels in the city. It’s hoped that Bakersfield drivers realize how important it is to pay attention to crosswalks and all lanes to avoid devastating accidents.
A word for families after tragic Bakersfield pedestrian collisions…
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Bakersfield, you should be aware of the benefits available to you and your family through an insurance claim. Financial support is often available to victims and families even when a hit-and-run driver isn’t located.
You can read more about these cases on my page about tragic pedestrian accidents in Bakersfield.
