Pedestrian crashes on California Ave, Bakersfield

We don't rate streets as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a street is, and busy streets have more crashes partly because more people use them. This page covers traffic crashes, not crime. What the records show: 28 pedestrian crashes were reported on California Ave in Bakersfield from 2021–2025, 9 of them serious or fatal (6 fatal). The most were at California Ave & Haley St (3). 18% involved a driver turning, 7% turning left. 36% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.

• 18% involved a driver turning, 7% turning left.
• 36% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
• 43% were crossing away from a crosswalk.
• 46% happened after dark.
• 21% were hit-and-run.

1. California Ave & Haley St

   3 crashes · 3 serious or fatal · 1 fatal

   People hit crossing mid-block

   2 of 3 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. Traffic is posted at about 40 mph.

   • Cross at the nearest signal or crosswalk here, even if it's out of your way. Drivers don't expect people mid-block.
   • Traffic is fast here. Use signalized crossings rather than crossing mid-block.
   See it on the map

2. California Ave & Chester Ln

   3 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatal

   People hit crossing mid-block

   2 of 3 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 67% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 40 mph.

   • Cross at the nearest signal or crosswalk here, even if it's out of your way. Drivers don't expect people mid-block.
   • Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
   • Traffic is fast here. Use signalized crossings rather than crossing mid-block.
   See it on the map

3. California Ave & Real Rd

   3 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatal

   People hit crossing mid-block

   3 of 3 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 100% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 40 mph.

   • Cross at the nearest signal or crosswalk here, even if it's out of your way. Drivers don't expect people mid-block.
   • Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
   • Traffic is fast here. Use signalized crossings rather than crossing mid-block.
   See it on the map

4. California Ave & Stockdale Hwy

   3 crashes

   A mix of crash types

   Of 3 people hit here, 2 were in a crosswalk at the intersection. Traffic is posted at about 45 mph.

   • No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
   • Traffic is fast here. Use signalized crossings rather than crossing mid-block.
   See it on the map

5. California Ave & Oak St

   3 crashes

   People hit walking in the road

   2 of 3 people were in the road or on the shoulder when they were hit, not crossing. 67% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 45 mph. 67% were hit-and-run.

   • Stay out of the traffic lane: check behind you before stepping out from a parked car, and where there's no sidewalk, walk facing traffic as far from the lane as you can.
   • Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
   • Traffic is fast here. Use signalized crossings rather than crossing mid-block.
   See it on the map

Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.

The busiest hour was 12 p.m..

Where on California Ave do the most pedestrian crashes happen?

California Ave & Haley St, with 3 reported pedestrian crashes from 2021–2025, 3 of them serious or fatal. Next are California Ave & Chester Ln (3) and California Ave & Real Rd (3).

How do pedestrians usually get hit on California Ave?

18% involved a driver turning, 7% turning left. 36% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection. 43% were crossing away from a crosswalk. 46% happened after dark. 21% were hit-and-run.

How many pedestrian crashes happen on California Ave each year?

Reported pedestrian crashes on California Ave in Bakersfield: 2021: 3, 2022: 8, 2023: 8, 2024: 5, 2025: 4. The latest year can rise as late reports come in.

Where does this data come from?

Police crash reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), published by the state on data.ca.gov, counted by the street each report names first. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.