Bakersfield, CA – According to KBAK Fox 50, the Kern County Coroner’s Office has released the identities of the two victims who died in the massive, multi-vehicle pile-up on I-5 near Old River on Saturday, January 6, 2024. 62-year-old Patricia Anne Wilson from Sun City, Arizona, and 45-year-old Pedro Garcia Canseco from Gilroy, California, collided with a semi-truck and tragically died at the scene.
Upon receiving the distress call at approximately 7:31 AM, California Highway Patrol officers rushed to the crash site, where they encountered challenging pockets of fog leading to reduced visibility. Investigators believe that excessive speed may have played a factor in the accident, in addition to weather conditions.
Contrary to the initially reported 35 vehicles, the CHP clarified that a total of 30 vehicles were involved, comprising 18 passenger vehicles and 12 commercial. The aftermath of the pileup left a grim toll, with nine individuals suffering injuries and the unfortunate fatalities of Wilson and Canseco.
When another driver’s actions result in a fatal car accident, those grieving the deceased may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver. Compensation provided by a wrongful death claim can help cover hospital fees and burial costs as well as emotional damages and the loss of potential income for dependents of the deceased. Insurance companies may resist making payouts, however, which makes it all the more helpful to seek the services of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.
