Keene, CA – On the afternoon of Saturday, November 15, 2025, a big rig crash resulted in a fatality, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 1:28 PM on State Route 58 near Keene.
Dispatch records indicate that a big rig overturned, leaving both the tractor and trailer blocking the No. 1 lane. Authorities soon confirmed a body in the No. 2 lane, prompting immediate lane closures and repeated traffic breaks as emergency crews, fire personnel, and Caltrans worked to secure the scene.
Responders requested heavy-duty tow equipment to manage the overturned truck, which required a rotator and extended recovery time due to its position on its side.
Both westbound lanes of SR-58 were closed for a significant period while officials diverted traffic at nearby interchanges, implemented round-robin escorts, and coordinated the arrival of the Kern County Coroner. Caltrans crews also deployed cones, flares, and changeable message signs to manage congestion and warn approaching drivers.
CHP logs show that traffic backups affected access routes, even slowing the coroner’s response. By late afternoon, limited lanes reopened under controlled conditions, and by early evening, officials reported that both westbound lanes were fully open, the big rig had been moved off the roadway at the Keene off-ramp, and recovery crews were completing final operations.
Authorities noted that no hazardous spill requiring environmental response occurred. The investigation into the fatal overturn remains ongoing.
Single-Vehicle Collisions
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.
