Sunday's wreck near Buttonwillow claims life of a young woman, authorities say
KERN, CA, (February 02, 2025) - On Sunday around 5:57 p.m., a driver traveling the wrong way along Highway 58 east of Buttonwillow crashed into another car, killing its sole occupant identified by the Kern County Coroner as Mariana Lizbeth Rivera Acosta.
Mariana Lizbeth Rivera Acosta, 19, from Buttonwillow, was fatally injured after her vehicle was hit by another car that veered into her lane Sunday evening along Highway 58, authorities said.
According to the California Highway Patrol's (CHP) preliminary findings, Acosta, 19, from Buttonwillow, was driving a 2016 Chevrolet eastbound on Highway 58 just west of Interstate 5 when she was struck head-on by a 2023 Dodge. The driver of the Dodge, investigators say, was going westbound on the highway and had passed an uninvolved vehicle in the eastbound lanes prior to the collision.
The driver of the Dodge and several passengers riding with him were all hurt. The severity of their injuries was major to minor, authorities said.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
The most common cause of head-on accidents is driver error. However, they can also be caused by drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, poor road design, inexperienced drivers, and confusion on the part of the driver.
Although only 2% of motor vehicle accidents are head-on in the United States, they account for over 10% of all crash-related fatalities.
Candice Bond, an experienced auto accident attorney, said in cases such as this, it is imperative to have an independent probe conducted into the crash by a seasoned lawyer to protect the rights of the victim’s family.
“Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and the family of the victim must ensure that evidence is reviewed efficiently,” said Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Mariana Lizbeth Rivera Acosta may pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this.
“In the wake of a catastrophic accident, families deserve peace of mind. Completing an independent investigation while big insurance corporations want to weaken your case requires an attorney with full knowledge of the complex legal process and resources to fight by your side,” added Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline.
“Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is an unimaginable tragedy. While no amount of compensation can bring them back, an experienced attorney can hold responsible parties accountable and help secure justice for your family.”
Have you been in a similar accident and need help? Speak to Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond now free of charge for a no-obligation consultation
(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).