Bakersfield, CA – In a tragic turn of events, a suspected drunk driver disrupted the festive atmosphere in downtown Bakersfield last week when he plowed into spectators awaiting the annual Christmas Parade. The incident resulted in injuries to three individuals, prompting action from local authorities.
The Bakersfield Police Department reported that just thirty minutes before the scheduled start of the Bakersfield Christmas Parade, a man behind the wheel of a white Ford F-150 recklessly reversed through an alleyway near the parade route. The vehicle came to a halt beside a city fire station on 21st Street, leaving chaos in its wake.
The victims, three male parade spectators aged 21, 42, and 77, were struck by the speeding pickup truck. Law enforcement has yet to release the identities of the injured individuals. Bakersfield firefighters, who happened to be near, immediately administered medical aid to the victims. The three men were subsequently transported to a local hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
The driver, identified as 72-year-old Alan Booth of Bakersfield, was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Officer Francisco Esguerra, a Bakersfield police watch commander, disclosed that Booth was receiving medical treatment for crash-related injuries at a hospital and had not yet been booked into jail as of Saturday night.
Eyewitnesses, including police officers preparing for the parade, reported hearing the pickup truck accelerate just before the collision occurred. The impact also caused damage to a nearby food truck, Poppi’s Pastrami, and more.
Misti Cole, the owner of the affected food truck, described the experience, stating, “He pushed my whole truck. He pushed it like 8 feet.” Cole revealed that her children were inside the food trailer at the time of the crash, and other children were seated nearby, anticipating the parade.
In light of the Bakersfield drunk driver crash, the Christmas Parade was rerouted and experienced a brief delay, underscoring the tragedy during what was meant to be a joyous celebration. The aftermath of the crash serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by impaired driving during the holiday season. The Bakersfield Police Department continues to investigate the incident, with concerns for public safety at the forefront of their efforts.
