BAKERSFIELD, CA — A man was killed in an Oildale hit-and-run, marking the 33rd pedestrian death in Kern County in 2025.
The incident occurred around 1:15 a.m. at Roberts Lane and Plymouth Avenue, when a driver struck the pedestrian and fled the scene.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has investigated 13 vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents this year, 11 of them in Bakersfield, while local police are investigating 14 more.
The issue is not limited to Bakersfield. Delano, California City, and Edison have also reported pedestrian fatalities in 2025. In total, 33 people have died after being hit by vehicles in Kern County this year, compared with 57 in 2024 and 63 in 2023.
Some streets remain particularly dangerous. On Union and South Union Avenue, 6 people have died so far this year. Sergeant Caleb Kizer of BPD’s traffic division noted that most accidents occur when pedestrians do not use marked crosswalks, and many victims are part of the area’s transient population.
Hit-and-run incidents are another major concern, with 8 reported in the county. According to CHP Officer Jorge Toro, fear of criminal prosecution and pedestrian fault are common factors.
The crash that killed the man occurred at the same intersection where CHP conducted pedestrian safety enforcement last month.
The most dangerous streets identified include Niles Street, South Union Avenue, Chester Avenue, and Roberts Lane. Authorities urge both drivers and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution on these roads.
