Bakersfield, CA – According to KGET, the Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who lost his life after being struck by a vehicle on South Chester Avenue in mid-August as 27-year-old Joshua Gabriel Escandon of Bakersfield.
The accident occurred on the evening of August 18, 2024, near the intersection of South Chester Avenue and Sandra Drive. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but sadly, Escandon was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of his injuries. The driver involved in the accident remained at the scene and fully cooperated with law enforcement.
The area of South Chester Avenue where the accident occurred is a busy thoroughfare in Bakersfield, lined with both residential homes and local businesses.
Authorities have stated that neither speed nor impairment appears to have played a role in the collision. The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue to gather details about the circumstances leading up to the accident.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as if they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is held only partially liable in a pedestrian accident. If that is the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
