CHP investigating Wednesday Accident south of Ridgecrest
A 25-year old Lancaster man is dead after his 2014 Kia Optima crossed a double yellow line on Highway 395 Wednesday colliding with a northbound Ford F-350. The California Highway Patrol indicates the cause of the collision remains under investigation, however their accident reports shows that the Kia driver “drove across the painted solid double yellow lane lines (a no passing zone), into the northbound lane in an attempt to pass two passenger vehicles and a tractor trailer in the southbound lane.” The driver of the Kia, who’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 56-year old driver of the northbound 2013 F-350, and his 63-year old passenger (both of Bakersfield) were treated at the scene by medical personnel and transported by Liberty Ambulance to Ridgecrest Regional Hospital.
The Wednesday afternoon collision occurred on highway 395 just south of Ridgecrest, approximately a mile and a half south of China Lake Boulevard.