Bakersfield, California – In the early hours of Wednesday, January 3, 2024, a fatal incident claimed the life of a 43-year-old man from Atascadero.
The tragic incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. in the northbound lane of Highway 99, just south of Highway 119. A cargo truck rear-ended the Atascadero man’s Prius, resulting in fatal consequences.
According to reports from the California Highway Patrol, both vehicles came to a stop on the right shoulder of the highway. Unfortunately, the Prius driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time of the tragic truck collision in Bakersfield, officers indicated that the truck was traveling at approximately 55 mph in the slow lane. However, it is unclear whether the Prius was also in the slow lane or if it was stopped on the right shoulder before the collision. It’s important to note that the accident occurred at night and in rainy weather.
So far, authorities have not released the name of the man who lost his life in this unfortunate accident. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of caution and attention while driving, especially in adverse weather conditions. We deeply regret the loss of the driver and hope that tragedies like these serve as a reminder of the need to prioritize safety on the roads.
