KERN COUNTY, Calif. (KERO) — At least one person has died following a crash in the Kern River Canyon.
The California Highway Patrol says the deadly crash occurred just past 5:15 pm Tuesday and had a vehicle teetering over the side of the canyon.
Westbound lanes were closed but have since reopened.
The CHP's Bakersfield Communication Center received a call about a crash at about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 178 west of Upper Ridgebar.
Officers conducting an investigation determined a 2001 Buick traveling west on Highway 178 made an unsafe turn movement and went onto the shoulder where the front right tire struck the asphalt curb, said CHP. The driver of the Buick then lost control, went across the double-yellow lines, and collided with a 2020 Ford traveling east on Highway 178, according to CHP.
The driver of the Buick, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was declared dead at the scene, said CHP. The driver of the Ford was taken to Kern Medical with moderate injuries.
Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to CHP. A subsequent investigation will be conducted by the Kern County Coroner's office.
