A teen passenger was injured after the vehicle left Niles Street
July 29, 2026 | Bakersfield, CA
What happened in the crash?
BAKERSFIELD, CA — A 20-year-old man fleeing deputies crashed his vehicle in an east Bakersfield parking lot on a Wednesday night in July, injuring his 17-year-old passenger.
Andres Montoya, 20, was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run and other charges after his vehicle struck a curb and crashed into a parking lot near Niles Street and Mount Vernon Avenue.
- Date and time: Wednesday night around 11 p.m. in July
- Location: Niles Street near Sterling Road, then curb at Niles Street and Mount Vernon Avenue
- Vehicle outcome: Struck curb before crashing into Silver Spray Pharmacy parking lot
- Injuries: 17-year-old passenger treated at Kern Medical
- Charges: Andres Montoya booked on suspicion of hit-and-run and other charges
Deputies spotted Montoya driving at high speed with the juvenile girl. A brief pursuit ended due to safety concerns. Montoya continued driving and lost control at the intersection before the pharmacy lot impact, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. The California Highway Patrol confirmed the passenger’s transport for treatment. The investigation continues with no further details released.
Why do these accidents happen?
High-speed chases often stem from evasive driving during traffic stops or warrants. Data from the Federal Highway Administration shows speed-related factors contribute to thousands of injury crashes annually.
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|
| U.S. traffic injuries (2023) | 2.44 million | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Year-over-year change | +2.5% from 2022 | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Injury rate per 100M VMT | 75 | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, an independent review helps gather additional evidence beyond initial reports.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide an injured victim during this difficult time while vigorously protecting their legal rights and best interests.”
— candice bond, managing partner of Bond Legal
“It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client. Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
— stefano formica, of counsel with Bond Legal
Key takeaways
- Review all available footage and records promptly
- Understand insurance negotiation dynamics
- Protect rights during the claims process
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(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).
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