Bakersfield Man Killed in Highway 166 Crash Near Cuyama River

LATEST UPDATE

The California Highway Patrol released a preliminary report indicating the driver, a 25-year-old Bakersfield man, that drove his Honda Accord off the road, died from blunt force trauma.

The CHP says the 25-year-old driver was traveling west along state Route 166 and tried to pass a semi-truck at a high rate of speed. For reasons still under investigation, the driver allowed the Honda Accord to drive off the highway onto the south shoulder as he passed the semi-truck, and lost control.

Investigators say that the unnamed driver over corrected to the right and drove across both lanes of Highway 166 where he traveled off the north shoulder of the highway and went down a steep embankment.

Emergency crews located the driver inside the overturned vehicle still buckled in the driver’s seat. He was critically injured but succumbed to his injuries on scene.

CHP is investigating whether alcohol or drugs played a factor in the collision.

The identity of the driver will not be released under the next-of-kin is notified.

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ORIGINAL POST

Emergency crews were on scene Monday morning of a reported vehicle over the side near Highway 166 and Cable Corral Road just west of Rock Front Ranch.

The incident was reported just before 10:30 a.m.

The California Highway Patrol said the vehicle was lying on its rooftop approximately 200 feet down in a riverbed.

The unidentified driver was killed in the crash. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Check back for the latest information on this developing story.