Bakersfield Resident Succumbs to Injuries Two Days After Oildale Accident
OILDALE, CA, (August 17, 2025) - A 42-year-old Bakersfield man died after being struck by a vehicle in Oildale on Sunday night, according to authorities. The collision occurred on North Chester Avenue near Roberts Lane.
Authorities confirmed that the Bakersfield man seriously injured in a pedestrian crash in Oildale on August 17 has died.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Adam Clayton Guthrie.
Officials said Guthrie was hit around 8:47 p.m. on August 17. He was transported to Kern Medical, where he succumbed to his injuries on August 20.
The driver involved remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
The incident remains under investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Walking on American roads has grown increasingly dangerous over the years, largely due to the surge in heavier vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks, speed-focused road design, and reckless driver behavior. Eighty-four percent of pedestrian deaths in 2023 occurred in urban areas, up from 59% in 1975, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
“In most instances, pedestrians possess the right of way when crossing an intersection or a street regardless of if they are in a marked crosswalk,” said Candice Bond, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal, noted that it’s imperative to have an independent probe conducted by a seasoned lawyer to help protect the rights of the victim’s family in cases such as this.
Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and the family of a victim must be ensured that evidence is reviewed in an efficient manner.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. The family of Adam Clayton Guthrie may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim.
“Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of income and companionship, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident,” Bond added.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure families into settling quickly for far less than they deserve. An experienced attorney will vigorously advocate on their behalf to ensure they are treated with dignity and compensated fairly,” Bond noted.
Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, has extensive experience with fatal pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one needs help, she offers free consultations.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).