Man killed in high-speed crash on Hwy. 99 after car rear-ends semi-trailer

A tragic incident occurred on Highway 99 in Bakersfield early Sunday morning, resulting in the loss of one man’s life. The California Highway Patrol responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash at around 1:58 a.m. on May 10, 2026, on northbound Highway 99 at Hosking Avenue.

Preliminary investigations by the CHP revealed that an unidentified male driver was operating a 2015 black Honda Civic at a high speed in the number three lane of northbound Highway 99. In front of the Honda, a 34-year-old man from Delano was driving a 2019 Peterbilt semi-truck in the same lane at around 55 miles per hour. The Honda then overtook the semi-truck and collided with the back of the Peterbilt’s semi-trailer, causing the Honda to veer northeast and come to a stop on the right shoulder of northbound Highway 99 under the Hosking Avenue overpass.

The driver of the Peterbilt promptly pulled over onto the right shoulder north of Hosking Avenue and awaited the arrival of CHP and emergency services. Tragically, the driver of the Honda sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Peterbilt driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to Kern Medical, where he is cooperating with the ongoing investigation into the crash.

Clear weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, although it remains unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash. The investigation is still ongoing, and anyone with pertinent information is urged to contact CHP Bakersfield at 661-396-6600.

This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with high-speed driving on the highways. It underscores the importance of adhering to speed limits and driving responsibly to prevent tragic events like this from occurring. The CHP continues its efforts to enforce traffic laws and ensure the safety of all road users through thorough investigations and proactive measures to prevent such accidents in the future.