All eastbound lanes of Highway 58 were closed for several hours Monday morning after a Bakersfield Police officer hit and killed a pedestrian who was walking in the roadway.
Officer Robert Rodriguez with the California Highway Patrol said the BPD officer was headed to a call and was preparing to exit onto Oswell St. when he saw a pedestrian standing in the slow lane of traffic.
The officer has been identified as Keith Schlech, and he was not hurt in the incident.
Officer Rodriguez said Schlech could not avoid the man, who was wearing dark clothing, and struck him. The man
died at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The pedestrian has been identified as 30-year-old Edgar Rodriguez of Bakersfield.
The roadways was closed for six hours, two lanes reopened just before 11 a.m.
BPD confirmed that Schlech has been placed on paid administrative leave.
