Luis Nido dies in head-on crash on Bussell Road in Kern County

Nido drove the wrong way while speeding to pass vehicles on Highway 58

October 28, 2025 | Bakersfield, CA
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A driver traveling at high speed in the wrong direction while trying to pass traffic crashed head-on into another vehicle Tuesday morning in Bakersfield, killing himself and severely injuring the other driver.

Bakersfield resident Luis Manuel Galvez Nido, 38, was killed at the scene of a wrong-way crash on Highway 58 in Kern County.

What Happened in the Highway 58 Crash?

The collision took place east of Bussell Road when a Jeep Cherokee driven the wrong way struck a Chrysler 300.

• Date and Time: October 28, 2025, about 5:42 a.m.
• Location: State Highway 58, east of Bussell Road, Bakersfield
• Vehicles Involved: Jeep Cherokee driven by Luis Manuel Galvez Nido, 38, of Bakersfield; Chrysler 300 driven by a 50-year-old woman from Lake Havasu, Arizona
• Outcome: Nido pronounced dead at the scene; Arizona woman taken to Kern Medical with major injuries

California Highway Patrol officers reported Nido traveled westbound in the eastbound lane while attempting to pass other vehicles. The woman's name was not released right away. Authorities are looking into the details of the collision.

Why Do Wrong-Way Head-On Crashes Happen?

Drivers going the wrong way often do so because of impairment, disorientation or efforts to move around slower traffic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows head-on collisions make up about 10 percent of fatal crashes, though the forces involved tend to create the most serious results because of the closing speeds.

Such collisions call attention to the importance of safety improvements on roads and better driver education.

Expert Insights on Head-On Collision Cases

National legal analysts offer broad advice on motor vehicle collisions like this one.

In cases such as this, when vehicles collide head-on at their combined speeds, the resulting impact force is typically severe and can potentially lead to catastrophic injuries or death.

— Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.

• Independent Investigation Essential: An attorney can re-interview witnesses, review surveillance video from the crash site, and secure phone and texting records from the responsible driver.
• Victim Advocacy: An attorney can offer support to those hurt while standing up for their legal rights and interests.

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.

— Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.

• Fair Compensation: An attorney pushes back against insurance efforts to push for low settlements and works to secure what the claim deserves.
• Stress Mitigation: Legal help takes care of the process so those affected can deal with recovery.

Crash Statistics and Prevention

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 39,345 deaths in traffic collisions across the country in 2024, with head-on crashes playing a large role in the worst cases.

• California Specific: Kern County reports more wrong-way driving on highways such as SR-58.
• Prevention Tips: Stick to the right lanes, do not pass where signs prohibit it, and call California Highway Patrol if you see signs of impairment behind the wheel.

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