Crash on Fairfax Road near Alfred Harrell Highway results in fatality
BAKERSFIELD, CA, (July 27, 2025) - A 35-year-old man was tragically killed early Sunday in a head-on collision with a suspected drunk driver in East Bakersfield. Authorities identified the victim as Salvador Gallegos Jr., a resident of Bakersfield.
Salvador Gallegos Jr., a 35-year-old Bakersfield resident, was tragically killed early Sunday in a crash involving an allegedly impaired driver on Fairfax Road, authorities said.
The fatal crash occurred around 12:35 a.m. on Fairfax Road, just south of Alfred Harrell Highway. According to officials, a black pickup truck was heading south when it veered into the northbound lane and struck a silver sedan driven by Gallegos Jr. He died at the scene due to the severity of his injuries.
The driver of the pickup was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He was hospitalized following the incident and is expected to be booked into the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility on charges that include DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Drunk driving remains a devastating problem on U.S. roadways, continuing to cause preventable tragedies despite awareness campaigns, strict legislation, and sobering statistics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2023, one person died every 42 minutes due to a drunk-driving crash.
An independent investigation will be crucial to uncover additional factors contributing to the crash, including toxicology results to confirm the driver's blood alcohol concentration at the time of the collision.
“In addition to the diligent efforts of law enforcement, an attorney can conduct their own investigation by re-interviewing witnesses, analyzing any available surveillance footage, and securing the at-fault driver’s phone and texting records,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and a seasoned DUI accident attorney.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the family of Salvador Gallegos Jr. may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Such claims may seek compensation for funeral and medical expenses, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and other damages resulting from the tragic loss.
“Wrongful death occurs when a person’s life is taken due to the negligent or reckless actions of another,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “When fatal accidents are caused by impaired, distracted, or otherwise unsafe driving, families have the legal right to hold the responsible party accountable through a civil claim.”
Bond emphasized the importance of legal support during such times, noting that a knowledgeable attorney can help families understand their rights and navigate the complex legal process to ensure justice is served.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(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).