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$22M settlement reached in deadly Bakersfield police crash civil lawsuit

The city agreed to pay $22 million to the family of Mario Lares and Ana Hernandez following a 2023 crash involving former officer Ricardo Robles.
A Bakersfield Police cruiser rests in the orchards near the intersection of Muller Road and South Vineland Drive.
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The City of Bakersfield has agreed to pay a $22 million settlement in the civil lawsuit connected to a 2023 crash involving former Bakersfield police officer Ricardo Robles.

The lawsuit stems from a deadly collision at Muller Road and South Vineland Drive that killed 31-year-old Mario Lares and injured passenger Ana Hernandez.

Robles was allegedly driving without overhead lights or a siren activated at the time of the crash.

The city agreed to pay the $22 million settlement to the family of Lares and Hernandez.

Robles entered a plea in 2024 to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and was sentenced to felony probation and community service.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.


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