[03-29-2025] Kern County, CA – Pedestrian Killed After Hit-And-Run Crash at South Union Avenue and White Lane in Bakersfield

A pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run collision at the intersection of South Union Avenue and White Lane in south Bakersfield late Saturday night, March 29, 2025.

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers responded to reports of a vehicle striking a pedestrian at approximately 10:45 p.m.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene, and it is currently unknown if the suspect is in custody.

Southbound lanes of South Union Avenue were temporarily closed as CHP conducted their investigation but have since reopened.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Contact The Top-Rated Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyers in Bakersfield, CA

Experiencing injuries or losing a loved one in a hit-and-run accident can be devastating, especially when the responsible party tries to avoid accountability. If you or a family member has been hurt or killed in such an incident, our highly regarded personal injury lawyers are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., our award-winning Bakersfield hit-and-run accident lawyers provide free, no-obligation consultations to assess your case. We will review your situation, explain your legal rights, guide you through the claims process, and identify factors that may affect your potential compensation.

At Arash Law, our attorneys handle both insurance claims and court representation. With more than $750 million recovered for accident victims and their families, our firm is recognized as one of the most trusted and successful personal injury law firms in California.

Reach out to our attorneys today. Call (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” form for a consultation.

What To Do After A Hit-And-Run

If you are hurt in an accident and the driver leaves the scene, you may have a much better chance of obtaining compensation if you take the steps listed below. These steps not only help the cops find and identify the driver, but they also help your injury claim. If you are still able to do so, some things you should do are:

1. Go to a safe place. You should try to move your car or yourself to a safe place to prevent more accidents or injuries.
2. Stay on the scene and make sure everyone is safe. Check yourself and other people for injuries. Keep your cool, and don’t take the blame.
3. Get as much information as you can from where the accident happened. Based on your situation, you might be able to get the car’s make, model, color, and license plate number.
4. Call the authorities. Telling the police about the accident as soon as possible can help them arrest the driver more quickly. The cops will also write down what happened in an official record that can help you when you file a claim later on.
5. Get the witnesses’ names and contact details so you can reach them. They can back up what you say and confirm what happened.
6. See a doctor right away to make sure you are not hurt. When you go to the doctor, a record of your injuries is also made. You need to do what your doctor tells you to do.
7. Tell your insurance company. Stick to the facts and don’t point out or admit fault. If you don’t have a lawyer, you should never take a settlement deal or give a recorded statement.
8. Talk to our top-rated hit-and-run accident attorneys. They can help you navigate the legal process and maximize your monetary compensation.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Hit-And-Run Accident Statistics

ValuePenguin shows a sharp increase in fatal hit-and-run incidents between 2012 and 2021, vastly outpacing the overall rise in fatal crashes during that period.

In 2021, a total of 2,783 fatal hit-and-run accidents were recorded, which was a staggering 89.4% increase from the 1,469 incidents reported in 2012. In comparison, overall fatal crashes only rose by 27.4% over the same decade.

Nationwide, California has the highest percentage of deadly hit-and-run crashes, with 10.1% of its fatal accidents involving hit-and-runs. Pedestrians are most often the victims, accounting for more than 60% of these cases. From 2012 to 2021, 62.8% of fatal hit-and-run crashes involved pedestrians, and pedestrian deaths increased by 53.7% during this period.