[03-01-2024] Kern County, CA – Driver Killed, Another Injured After Hit-And-Run Crash Involving Truck Along Highway 65 Near Delano

A driver was killed, and another was injured after a hit-and-run crash involving a truck near Delano early Friday evening, March 1, 2024.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal collision occurred around 5:30 p.m. along Highway 65, north of Highway 155.

A semi-truck was reportedly hauling a fifth-wheel trailer when it lost its left wheel, which crossed over to the other lane and hit an International big rig heading south and a Toyota heading north.

The impact caused the big rig to swerve into the northbound lanes and collide with a Honda. The semi-truck fled the scene and continued to head north.

The 52-year-old driver of the Honda was declared dead on site, while the 30-year-old driver of the big rig was hospitalized with moderate injuries. The Toyota driver was unharmed.

The authorities dismissed drugs or alcohol as factors. Further details on the fatal crash have yet to be released.

Renowned Delano Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys Specializing in Truck Accident Cases

You can either file a lawsuit or submit an insurance claim if you or a loved one was injured or killed in a hit-and-run collision in Delano. Obtain legal advice from our hit-and-run accident lawyers or truck accident lawyers, supervised by Arash Khorsandi, Esq.

Avail a free initial consultation with our legal team at Arash Law. We will provide an assessment of your case, recommendations for necessary steps, and a review of the key factors that could influence your potential settlement offer.

Our renowned Delano hit-and-run accident attorneys will fight for your rights and effectively represent you in court proceedings if necessary. Our law firm has recovered more than $750 Million for California clients.

If you want to speak with one of our lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

Top 5 Things To Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Delano

If you or a loved one was injured in a crash by a hit-and-run driver, you could take particular steps to protect your right to be compensated in full. The steps you choose can help authorities catch the driver, and they can help establish your claim for damages. Those actions consist of:

1. Collect as much info as possible while at the scene of the accident. Depending on your condition, you need to get the car’s license plate number and the make, model, and color of the vehicle. If you cannot obtain this information, you need to snap at least a few photos of the car (maybe using your cell phone).
2. Call the police as soon as possible. The quicker you report the accident to authorities, the faster they can act to arrest the driver. Also, when you call the police, you develop a record of the accident. Within a couple of days, you can order a collision report from the police station that took it or through the California DMV. This record will assist you later when you submit a claim.
3. Get the names and contact info of any witnesses. You need to keep in mind that individuals who witness an accident may stay to check on your condition, but after the cops and ambulance show up, they may quickly leave. You should make sure to get their names and phone numbers as soon as possible. Witnesses could play a crucial role. For example, a witness might verify that another vehicle collided with your car.
4. Get immediate medical attention. For your own well-being, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible and get examined for any injuries. Furthermore, if you see a doctor, it produces a record of your injuries. As you improve, you need to stick to your medical professional’s treatment plan.
5. Report the crash to your own insurance company. While you ought to do this as fast as possible, you need to make sure to stick to the facts. You do not have to admit any fault. Plus, you should not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement agreement until you have talked to a California hit-and-run accident attorney about your case.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics

In the United States, leaving the site of an accident without reporting it or helping the victims is considered a crime. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported about 737,100 accidents involving hit-and-run drivers in 2015. This equates to roughly one hit-and-run accident occurring every 43 seconds in the US.

Within California, 2,948 hit-and-run accidents resulted in 3,056 fatalities between 2010 and 2019. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Delano recorded six hit-and-run crashes in 2021, higher than the three crashes reported in the previous year.