Bicyclist Killed in Lamont Accident After Being Struck by Two Cars
LAMONT, CA, (September 04, 2025) - A 42-year-old Bakersfield man, Justen Cordell Lay, was tragically killed in a bicycle accident Friday night in Lamont, according to the Kern County Coroner's Office. The incident occurred on Buena Vista Boulevard, just west of Fairfax Road.
Justen Cordell Lay, a 42-year-old Bakersfield man, died Friday night in a collision between a vehicle and his bicycle in Lamont, authorities said.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that Lay was riding his bicycle eastbound when he was struck by a 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor, also traveling eastbound. The impact knocked him into the westbound lane, where he was hit by a second vehicle, a 2018 Hyundai Accent.
Lay was pronounced dead at the scene. Both drivers involved in the collision remained at the site and cooperated with law enforcement officials. The crash is currently under investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Unlike people traveling in vehicles, bicyclists do not have the protection of seat belts, airbags, and other safety features and are vulnerable every time they are on the roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,105 bicyclists were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2022, a 13% increase from 976 in 2021.
“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
Based on the results of any investigations, the family of Justen Cordell Lay may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Surviving family members can seek damages for the loss of companionship, as well as for pain, suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident like this.
Bond, of counsel at Bond Legal, stated that grieving families of victims are often overwhelmed by the legal processes in place to protect their rights.
"An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during this difficult time," Bond said, "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).
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