Kern County, CA (May 4, 2025) – Medics and fire crews worked to assist those suffering from injuries after a major collision on State Route 173 in eastern Kern County Friday night. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) classified the incident as a major injury crash, prompting an urgent multi-agency response that began around 8:00 p.m.
Emergency dispatch records indicate that several CHP units and fire crews were en route within minutes, with the first responders arriving on the scene by approximately 8:42 p.m. The location of the crash was noted near the geographic coordinates 35.423795, -118.04235, a remote area east of Bakersfield.
Initial reports from CHP logs show that the incident was upgraded from a standard traffic collision to a major injury accident (code 1180) at 10:25 p.m. One of the crash victims appeared to require air medical transport, as a notification from Mercy Air Ambulance around 11:04 p.m. mentioned difficulties confirming the flight number by phone. The victim’s family was also noted to be involved in vehicle retrieval as of 11:02 p.m.
At this time, there are no details regarding the number of vehicles involved or the cause of the crash. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances that led to this significant incident.
Our thoughts are with those impacted, and we wish the injured party a full and rapid recovery.
Major Injury Collisions in Kern County
State Route 173 and other rural roads in Kern County are known for their long, open stretches and rugged terrain, which often contribute to high-speed travel and visibility challenges. In sparsely populated regions like eastern Kern, collisions involving serious injuries tend to be more severe due to limited access to immediate medical care and longer EMS response times.
According to California’s Office of Traffic Safety, Kern County reports a substantial number of rural injury crashes each year, with nighttime incidents comprising a significant portion of those due to lower visibility and driver fatigue. Remote highway crashes also pose logistical hurdles, especially when air transport is necessary for critical injuries, as seen in this recent event.
The nature of this collision, which required the potential dispatch of an air ambulance and family intervention for vehicle retrieval, underscores the complexity and emotional toll that serious crashes impose—not just on the victims, but also on their families and first responders.
Drivers in rural California are urged to maintain safe speeds, avoid distractions, and remain vigilant, particularly on narrow or winding routes like SR-173. A moment of inattention can quickly escalate into a life-altering event on these roadways.
If you or someone close to you was injured in a severe traffic accident in Kern County, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. For support and resources following a crash, contact Local Accident Reports today. We are committed to assisting victims and their families during recovery and beyond.
