DELANO, Calif. — In the stillness of early Thursday morning, a single vehicle crash on a quiet stretch of Woollomes Avenue turned fatal for two young people and left another clinging to life. The scene, chaotic and heartbreaking, has shaken this close-knit community.
According to the California Highway Patrol, around 12:28 a.m. on October 16, a black Acura sedan was speeding eastbound when the driver lost control. The car veered off the road’s north edge, struck several metal posts and a wooden utility pole, then rolled to a stop on a dirt shoulder. Pieces of the vehicle lay scattered across the scene, twisted and mangled.
Investigators say the 21-year-old driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle by the force of the crash. He was pronounced dead on the spot. In the passenger seat, 19-year-old Andru Luque Felix of Delano also succumbed to his injuries despite life-saving efforts. The two had been known in the community, and their sudden loss has left many in shock.
A third occupant, a 19-year-old woman riding in the back seat, survived. She sustained moderate to major injuries and was rushed to Kern Medical Center. While authorities have not released her name, they say her condition is serious but stable, and doctors expect she will recover.
At the heart of the investigation is speed. CHP officers believe the sedan was traveling at a dangerously high rate when the driver lost control. But they are also probing whether distraction, fatigue, or impairment could have contributed. Toxicology tests are underway as part of a full forensic review.
For several hours, both lanes of Woollomes Avenue remained closed as utility crews repaired damaged poles and emergency teams cleared debris. Local authorities have sounded a warning to drivers: slow down, buckle up, and remain vigilant—especially after dark, when visibility is poor.
The CHP has expressed its deepest condolences to the victims’ families and acknowledged the emotional toll this crash has had on Delano. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Bakersfield Area CHP office.