Bakersfield, CA — According to KBAK, 24-year-old Kaitlyn Rose Sawyer from Lake Isabella has been identified as the woman who lost her life on Saturday night, January 4, 2024, when her truck fell 200 feet down an embankment.
Around 9:50 PM, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Kern County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene at Highway 178 in the Kern River Canyon. They discovered Sawyer’s 1999 Ford Ranger had gone off the road, rolling down the canyon side and coming to rest about 200 feet from the highway.
Sawyer, who had been driving eastbound, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and found about 40 to 50 feet down the embankment. The highway was closed for about six hours during recovery efforts.
It remains unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash. The details about the cause of the crash are still under investigation.
Single-Vehicle Collisions and Comparative Negligence
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility.
California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages. A personal injury attorney can play a critical role in sorting through these details to help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve.
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, feel free to contact Maison Law for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
