Bakersfield passenger Abraham Lopez passes after crash on Lerdo Highway
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Authorities in Kern County have confirmed that the passenger who died following a serious collision on Lerdo Highway has been identified as Abraham Lopez, 18, of Shafter. The tragic incident occurred on the evening of Monday, November 3, 2025, and has left the community mourning while investigators work to piece together what went wrong. (KBAK)
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Kern County Coroner’s Office, the collision took place at approximately 6:09 p.m. at the intersection of Lerdo Highway and Scaroni Avenue. The crash involved a 2006 Ford Windstar van, being driven by another 18-year-old from Shafter, and a 2023 Ford F-250 pickup driven by a 23-year-old Shafter man. The van failed to stop at the posted stop sign, entering the intersection in the path of the pickup, which struck the side of the van, sending it into a canal/reservoir that runs adjacent to the roadway. (KBAK)
After the impact, the van was partially submerged in water. First-responders — including firefighters and Good Samaritans who arrived at the scene — worked quickly to rescue occupants from the van. One person was pulled from the vehicle, while another required extraction using the “jaws of life” due to entrapment. The driver of the pickup sustained only minor injuries. (KBAK)
Following the rescue, Abraham Lopez was transported to the Kern Medical Center, where he passed away the next morning from injuries sustained in the crash. The exact hour of death was not published, but the coroner’s office confirmed the identification and timing. (KBAK)
Investigators are currently reviewing the scene, vehicle positions, stop-sign compliance, roadway angles, visibility, and whether any mechanical or environmental conditions played a role. Notably, CHP stated that “alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be factors” in the crash, based on their preliminary findings. (KBAK)
Abraham Lopez was a young man from Shafter, described in minimal public detail due to pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the van — also 18 and from Shafter — survived and is reportedly in stable condition. Officials have not yet released that driver’s name, in accordance with privacy and investigation procedures. The pickup driver, age 23, was also uninjured aside from minor trauma and continues to cooperate with the inquiry.
In the wake of the crash, community leaders and local organizations have expressed deep sorrow for the family of Abraham Lopez. A memorial page is expected to be established to assist with expenses and to honor the young man’s memory. Churches and youth programs in Shafter and Bakersfield have announced prayer vigils for the family and all involved.
Traffic safety advocates note that accidents at intersections with stop-sign violations remain a significant cause of serious injury and fatality in Kern County and across California. The fact that the van entered the intersection without stopping is a central focus of the investigation, along with the van’s subsequent entry into the water-filled canal — a rare but high-risk outcome that complicated rescue efforts.
The location of the crash — near the intersection of Lerdo Highway and Scaroni Avenue, close to rural-residential zones and drainage canals — has raised questions about roadway signage, lighting, and maintenance. The CHP has asked any witnesses or any motorists who may have captured dash-camera or door-camera video of the intersection around 6:00 p.m. to come forward. They emphasized that even small pieces of footage or observations may assist in reconstructing the crash. (KBAK)
For now, the family of Abraham Lopez and the area community are left grieving. The driver of the van, the driver of the pickup, and first responders carry with them the burden of what occurred. The Kern County Coroner’s Office will release the official cause and manner of death once toxicology and full autopsy reports are complete.
The Bakersfield region, still reeling from the early-evening crash, is reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of intersection safety. As the days ahead bring investigation updates, the hope is that Abraham’s passing will encourage vigilance and improve awareness — and that his family might find comfort in community support as they cope with a loss no family should face.