Police said a Mazda ran a red light at California Avenue
June 28, 2026 | Bakersfield, CA
What happened in the Bakersfield crash?
A suspected DUI driver allegedly ran a red light and caused a two-vehicle crash on June 28 in Bakersfield that left a 63-year-old man dead, according to police.
Gregory Lee Fraley, 63, died after a suspected DUI driver allegedly ran a red light and struck his BMW at California Avenue and Chester Lane.
The Kern County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Bakersfield resident Gregory Lee Fraley. The collision occurred around 12:06 a.m. near the intersection of California Avenue and Chester Lane.
- Fraley drove a silver BMW sedan southbound on Chester Lane.
- A silver Mazda hatchback entered the intersection westbound against a red traffic signal.
- Fraley was transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
- The 23-year-old Mazda driver showed signs of intoxication and was arrested for DUI, facing charges including gross vehicular manslaughter.
The crash remains under investigation.
Why do impaired driving accidents occur?
Even when drivers believe they are not impaired, drugs or alcohol can affect coordination and reaction time. Impaired driving significantly raises the risk of fatal or serious injury collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 10,850 people died each year in drunk driving crashes from 2012 to 2021.
An independent investigation will examine additional factors, including blood-alcohol content test results.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, criminal charges may follow an accident that causes harm or death. Separate from criminal proceedings, family members may pursue compensation through civil action against the responsible party.
“Drunken and drugged drivers are subject to criminal charges following an accident or collision that causes harm or kills another person. Separate from criminal charges, the family of a victim may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party.”
— Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
Key takeaways:
- Civil claims can address medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional trauma.
- An incident qualifies as wrongful death when a negligent act results in loss of life, added Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.
- Families often pursue civil action after fatalities involving unsafe or impaired driving.
| Statistic | Source | Value |
|---|
| Annual drunk driving fatalities (2012–2021) | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | About 10,850 |
| Primary risk factor | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Impaired coordination from alcohol or drugs |
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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).