Delano, California – A tragic accident on Highway 65 resulted in the death of one person. The incident, which involved multiple vehicles, occurred when a driver attempted to overtake in the opposite lanes.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the accident took place on May 29, 2024, at around 6:22 p.m. Officers responded to the scene, south of Sherwood Avenue, after receiving reports of a multiple-vehicle crash.
According to the CHP’s preliminary investigation, a man driving a northbound Toyota attempted to overtake traffic by moving into the southbound lanes. The Toyota also had an 18-year-old female passenger from Porterville.
A 50-year-old man from Bakersfield, driving a southbound Dodge, encountered the Toyota in his path. Behind the Dodge, a Chevrolet driven by a 29-year-old man from Porterville was also heading south.
The collision occurred when the front left of the Toyota struck the front left of the Dodge. This initial impact caused the Toyota to also collide with the Chevrolet.
Both the Toyota and the Dodge ended up on a descending embankment west of the highway, while the Chevrolet stopped in the southbound lanes. Tragically, the Toyota driver died at the scene of the accident.
The CHP has stated that they are investigating whether alcohol and/or drugs played a role in the accident. Authorities urge all drivers to adhere to traffic laws and drive safely to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
