Two Drivers Hospitalized with Moderate Injuries After Stockdale Highway Crash
BAKERSFIELD, CA, (June 20, 2025) - A tragic head-on collision early Friday morning claimed the life of 39-year-old Raul Inguanzo Jr. and left two others injured, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Raul Inguanzo Jr., 39, of Bakersfield, died in a multi-vehicle crash early Friday morning on Stockdale Highway, authorities said.
The crash happened around 12:38 a.m. on Stockdale Highway west of Driver Road. Authorities reported that a 2018 Freightliner truck hauling an enclosed semi-trailer was heading west when the driver veered into the eastbound lane for unknown reasons. The truck collided head-on with a 2021 Freightliner tow truck driven by Inguanzo Jr.
A third vehicle, a 2003 Honda Odyssey, was also involved. After the impact, the 2018 Freightliner and trailer struck a power pole and erupted in flames.
Inguanzo Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two drivers were transported to Kern Medical with moderate injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Driver fatigue is a well-documented and dangerous factor in fatal crashes across the United States—particularly when it involves large commercial trucks that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. In 2022 alone, 4,764 people lost their lives in crashes involving large trucks, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
“Commercial accidents are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and a seasoned commercial accident attorney.
Bond emphasized the urgency of conducting an independent investigation in such cases, especially when victims or their families are seeking justice. “A skilled attorney can protect victims from trucking companies, which often deploy their own investigators to crash scenes and utilize extensive resources to shield negligent drivers from liability.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
The family of Raul Inguanzo Jr. may pursue compensation for damages such as funeral and medical expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship, and other emotional and financial hardships resulting from his tragic death.
“A death to a family member after an accident is both tragic and devastating to a surviving family. The grief, shock, and anger can be overwhelming,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“Beyond the emotional toll, the loss of a loved one can result in significant financial strain. Loss of income and the burden of final expenses can deepen a family’s suffering. A wrongful death claim can help ensure that those left behind are not further harmed by economic hardship,” Bond added.
Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(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).