Bicyclist Killed in Collision on Highline Road Thursday Morning
TEHACHAPI, CA, (August 21, 2025) - An elderly bicyclist was struck and killed Thursday morning in Tehachapi, according to authorities.
Dee Roy Crowell, 81, lost his life Thursday morning after being hit by a car while cycling in Tehachapi, according to officials.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 81-year-old Dee Roy Crowell of Tehachapi.
The crash occurred around 8:22 a.m. at the intersection of Highline Road and Tehachapi Willow Springs Road, where Crowell’s bicycle collided with a car. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Additional details about the incident have not yet been released, and the California Highway Patrol continues to investigate.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Safety data indicate that larger vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks pose significant dangers to cyclists on U.S. roads. Drivers can help prevent tragedies by allowing enough space and staying alert to vulnerable road users. A total of 1,155 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2023. Bicyclist deaths in 2023 were highest during September, October, and July (11%) followed by August (10%), according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
“Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable on the road, and many factors can contribute to serious crashes,” said Candice Bond, a Managing Partner with Bond Legal and an experienced bicycle accident attorney.
“It is imperative to come to a determination of the exact cause of these types of accidents. An attorney has the resources to review applicable insurance coverage, hire expert witnesses, run background checks, and locate witnesses. We carefully guide the family of the victim through the process.
Bond noted that in cases such as this, it is important to have an independent investigation conducted sooner than later to preserve any evidence.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of any investigations, the family members of Dee Roy Crowell may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Survivors of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this incident.
Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, said, “Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights.”
“An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during this difficult time, and ensure that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to.”
Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, has experience with fatal bicycle accidents. She offers free consultations to those in need of legal guidance.
(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).