BAKERSFIELD, CA — The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died in a hit-and-run in Bakersfield at the intersection of South H Street and Houghton Road. The victim is 26-year-old Zacarias Ecahua Chipahua, a resident of Lamont.
The crash occurred on Thursday, October 2, 2025, around 5:18 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Officers were called to the scene after a two-vehicle collision at a stop-sign-controlled intersection.
According to CHP’s preliminary investigation, a 33-year-old man was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Impala westbound on Houghton Road and came to a complete stop before turning south onto South H Street. At the same time, a white 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by an unidentified male, was traveling eastbound and failed to stop at the posted stop sign, colliding with the Impala.
The Impala driver sustained minor injuries, while a 45-year-old passenger was taken to Kern Medical with moderate injuries. Chipahua, who was seated in the front right passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Silverado driver fled on foot and remains at large. CHP has not yet determined whether alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about this hit-and-run in Bakersfield to contact the Bakersfield Area CHP at (661) 396-6600.
