Three people died and a fourth person was seriously hurt in a multi-vehicle crash on Taft Highway west of Harrison Street, north of Taft in Kern County, on the evening of Saturday, September 26, 2026. The collision was reported at about 7:41 p.m. According to the California Highway Patrol, an eastbound pickup truck collided head-on with a westbound sedan. A third vehicle traveling behind the sedan was damaged by debris from the impact.
KGET.com reported that the pickup driver and two people inside the sedan were pronounced dead at the scene, and that one person was hospitalized with serious injuries. Bakersfield Now reported that the driver of the third vehicle suffered major injuries and was taken for treatment. CHP is still investigating the cause, including whether alcohol or drugs played a role, and has asked anyone with information to contact its Buttonwillow office. Nothing has been confirmed about fault, and the cause remains under investigation.
