A driver lost their life in a shocking collision with a school bus in Bakersfield on Thursday evening. The accident occurred around 6:30 p.m. in the southern part of Bakersfield, specifically at the intersection of South Mount Vernon and East Belle Terrace.
According to reports from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Kern School District bus was heading north on Mount Vernon Avenue, south of Belle Terrace, when a southbound Toyota Sienna suddenly veered into the northbound lanes of traffic, positioning itself directly in the path of the school bus.
The impact was devastating. The Toyota Sienna and the school bus collided head-on, resulting in a fatal accident for the Toyota driver, a 48-year-old man from Lamont. Despite wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, the injuries sustained were so severe that he tragically lost his life at the accident scene.
The school bus was carrying 38 students at the time. The bus driver and two passengers suffered minor to moderate injuries and were transported to Kern Medical Center, as confirmed by CHP in an official statement.
This bus trip was intended for the Golden Valley High School college football team, who were on their way to a scheduled game against East High School. However, amidst this tragedy, East High School announced via the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, that the game between the two schools was canceled due to the shock caused by the accident.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office is working on identifying the deceased driver and is expected to provide more details in the near future. Meanwhile, the investigation into the causes of the accident is still ongoing.
Anyone who may have relevant information about this tragic incident is urged to immediately contact the Bakersfield CHP at (661) 396-6600.
Unfortunately, traffic accidents pose a constant risk on the streets of Bakersfield, and despite taking precautions and following traffic rules, we are not immune to these devastating experiences.
If you or a loved one is involved in an accident that was not your fault, it’s essential to seek legal assistance that can provide quality representation.
Ayuda California has decades of experience in handling accidents and personal injuries, aggressively fighting for our client’s rights and the fair compensation they deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation. We are ready to win your case!
