Pedestrian crashes on Chester 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: 32 pedestrian crashes were reported on Chester Ave in Bakersfield from 2021–2025, 11 of them serious or fatal (4 fatal). The most were at Chester Ave & 4th St (6). 19% involved a driver turning, 13% turning left. 25% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.

• 19% involved a driver turning, 13% turning left.
• 25% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
• 53% were crossing away from a crosswalk.
• 66% happened after dark.
• 19% were hit-and-run.

Set against all pedestrian crashes in California:

• 66% (California: 44%) of crashes happened after dark.
• 87% (California: 40%) were on roads posted 40 mph or faster.
• 34% (California: 30%) left someone seriously hurt or killed.
• The busiest hour was 8 p.m. (California: 6 p.m.).

1. Chester Ave & 4th St

   6 crashes · 3 serious or fatal · 1 fatal

   People hit crossing mid-block

   5 of 6 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 83% 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

2. Chester Ave & 10th St

   4 crashes · 2 serious or fatal

   People hit crossing mid-block

   2 of 4 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 75% 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. Chester Ave & Columbus St

   3 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatal

   People hit crossing mid-block

   2 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. Chester Ave & 1st St

   4 crashes

   People hit crossing mid-block

   2 of 4 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 50% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 40 mph. 50% were hit-and-run.

   • 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

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

The busiest hour was 8 p.m..

Where on Chester Ave do the most pedestrian crashes happen?

Chester Ave & 4th St, with 6 reported pedestrian crashes from 2021–2025, 3 of them serious or fatal. Next are Chester Ave & 10th St (4) and Chester Ave & Columbus St (3).

How do pedestrians usually get hit on Chester Ave?

19% involved a driver turning, 13% turning left. 25% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection. 53% were crossing away from a crosswalk. 66% happened after dark. 19% were hit-and-run.

When do pedestrian crashes happen on Chester Ave, compared with California?

Of 32 reported pedestrian crashes on Chester Ave in Bakersfield from 2021–2025: 66% (California: 44%) of crashes happened after dark. 87% (California: 40%) were on roads posted 40 mph or faster. 34% (California: 30%) left someone seriously hurt or killed. The busiest hour was 8 p.m. (California: 6 p.m.).

How many pedestrian crashes happen on Chester Ave each year?

Reported pedestrian crashes on Chester Ave in Bakersfield: 2021: 8, 2022: 3, 2023: 10, 2024: 3, 2025: 8. 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.