Kern County, CA — An 82-year-old Weldon man identified as David Victor Gonzalez Jr. lost his life and a woman sustained minor injuries after a truck rolled down an embankment on Highway 178 late Tuesday morning, November 26, 2024, according to KBAK.
The California Highway Patrol reported the accident occurred around 11:22 AM west of Mobile Drive.
Investigators determined that Gonzalez was driving a 2002 Ford F-150 at what is believed to be an unsafe speed for the wet road conditions. His vehicle failed to navigate a curve, left the roadway, and overturned approximately 40 feet down a dirt embankment.
The Kern County Fire Department responded to the scene, which prompted a temporary closure of Highway 178 for about an hour.
Emergency responders transported Gonzalez to Kern Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The female passenger, whose identity has not been released, was treated for minor injuries at Kern Medical. A dog traveling in the vehicle was unharmed and placed in the care of CHP.
CHP confirmed that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash.
Single-Vehicle Collisions and Comparative Negligence
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility.
California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages. A personal injury attorney can play a critical role in sorting through these details to help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a Personal Injury claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming.
A skilled personal injury attorney can help families pursue proper compensation for their loss by handling these legal complexities and negotiating with insurance companies, who always try to reduce payouts on claims they cannot deny.
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, feel free to contact Maison Law for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
