(Bakersfield, CA) A 27-year-old Covina woman died in an Interstate 5 Freeway accident after a semi-truck rear-ended her vehicle early Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday, September 17, at about 3:10 a.m., the Interstate 5 Freeway accident occurred. According to the California Highway Patrol, it happened on southbound I-5, north of Valpredo Avenue in Kern County.
Investigators reported the woman had been in a 2023 Kia Sorento. For unknown reasons, her vehicle stopped in the number one lane. At the same time, a 49-year-old man from White Water drove a 2025 International tractor southbound toward her vehicle and rear-ended it.
The impact fatally injured the Covina woman. CHP officers confirmed the semi-truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The cause of the Interstate 5 Freeway accident remains under investigation.
Legal Opinion on the Interstate 5 Freeway Accident
The Interstate 5 Freeway accident raises serious legal questions regarding liability in rear-end collisions. While investigators confirm why the Kia stopped in a traffic lane, both drivers’ duties under California law will be reviewed. One relevant statute is California Vehicle Code 21703, which requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance. Even when another car stops in the middle of the road, truck drivers must leave enough distance to slow or stop safely. The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks increase their stopping distance, making this duty especially critical.
Speed may also be reviewed under California Vehicle Code 22350, the Basic Speed Law. This statute requires drivers to operate only at speeds safe for conditions, including traffic patterns and roadway visibility at night. If the truck traveled too fast to react, this law may apply. On the other hand, the Kia’s unexplained stop in an active traffic lane raises questions of negligence. California Vehicle Code 22400 prohibits stopping on a freeway in a manner that impedes traffic, except in emergencies. If authorities determine the Kia’s stop to not be a result mechanical failure or another emergency, partial liability may apply.
Because the Covina woman died, her family has the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This civil claim may recover damages for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the emotional devastation of losing a loved one.
What the Family Can Do
The family should contact a wrongful death attorney immediately. An attorney can review the CHP report, inspect the Kia for possible mechanical defects, and obtain black box data from the semi-truck to determine its speed and braking pattern before impact.
Even if the Kia’s stop contributed to the crash, California’s comparative negligence law allows damages to be shared proportionally. This means the truck driver and possibly his employer may still hold responsibility. Pursuing legal action after the Interstate 5 Freeway accident ensures the family’s rights are protected and accountability is sought for this tragic loss.
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim. We know this is a difficult time as you mourn the tragic and sudden loss of a loved one. If you have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this horrible incident, call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
