Rider Killed in Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident at Chester Avenue and 2nd Street; Torres Dawson Arrested
Bakersfield, California (February 15, 2020) – A motorcyclist was killed Friday evening in an alleged DUI crash in Bakersfield, authorities said.
Police responded to the intersection of Chester Avenue and 2nd Street after reports of a traffic accident that happened shortly before 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 14.
Authorities said a pick-up truck, driven by Torres Dawson, was making an unsafe turn while a man riding a motorcycle was approaching the intersection. For undetermined reasons, the truck then collided with the motorcyclist at the intersection.
The motorcyclist was declared dead at the scene. His name has not been disclosed pending notification of next of kin.
Dawson was arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter.
An investigation into the accident is underway. Anyone with information about the crash is urged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111.
“Far too many motorcycle collisions are caused by the carelessness or recklessness of other motorists. Sadly, when this occurs, motorcyclists are the ones who tend to suffer the vast majority of injuries”, according to Arin Khodaverdian, Managing Partner and CEO Alpine Law Group. Under California’s rule of comparative negligence, a victim may be able to collect compensation for injuries and other damages even if you were partly at fault for the accident.