Fatal Truck Accident on Highway 395, Bowman Road in Kern County
Tragic Accident on US395 Results in Fatality
KERN COUNTY, Calif., (June 17, 2026) — A fatal collision involving multiple vehicles, including a FedEx semi-truck, occurred late Tuesday night on US Highway 395 near Bowman Road just south of Inyokern, in Kern County.
The incident was reported on June 16th at approximately 10:30 p.m. and involved two tractor-trailers and a small sedan, which reportedly caught fire after the collision. The crash took place on the southbound side of the highway, just south of Bowman Road, in the Ridgecrest area. A FedEx truck was identified as one of the involved vehicles.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene shortly after the crash was reported. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and other emergency services worked to manage the scene, diverting traffic from US395 to China Lake Boulevard and Brown Road to prevent further incidents. Debris from the collision covered an extensive area, hindering initial efforts to clear the scene.
Sadly, the collision resulted in at least one fatality. The identity of the deceased has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. Additional details regarding the number of injured individuals and their conditions remain unclear at this time. The Kern County Coroner’s office was reportedly en route to the scene from Bakersfield.
The California Highway Patrol has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. They are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward with information that could aid in determining the cause.
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When it matters most, trust Attorney James Johnson at Johnson Attorneys Group. We are a personal injury law firm serving clients who have been injured throughout California due to negligent motorists. If you were hurt in this collision, call 1-(800) 208-3538. We will request the police report, and the attorney will discuss your options. You are under no obligation to hire us, and there is no cost unless we win your case. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
