DELANO, Calif. — The Kern County coroner has released the name of a teenager who authorities say was hit and killed after getting out of a car following a collision Friday night.
Officials identified him as Orlando Tapia, 19, of Delano.
According to the California Highway Patrol, three cars were involved in the crash Friday night in the area of the 99 and 155 near Delano.
The CHP says a Mazda was disabled and blocking the No. 1 lane, while two others pulled over to the right shoulder. The driver of the Mazda got out and was standing in the center median.
The CHP says the 19-year-old driver of one of the cars on the shoulder got out and started walking toward the center median to talk to the driver of the Mazda.
At that point, a Toyota heading south on the 99 was approaching the scene. The CHP says the driver of the Toyota tried to avoid the Mazda, but hit the 19-year-old and the 27-year-old driver of the Mazda.
Tapia was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy will be performed to confirm the cause and manner of death.
The 27-year-old suffered major injuries to his leg.
