Bakersfield, CA — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in connection with the death of 27-year-old Brandon Elliott Gabriel Flores, who was struck and killed by a Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) vehicle on South Union Avenue in June 2024, according to KGET.
The suit, filed on behalf of Flores’ 4-year-old daughter and her guardian, alleges negligence by the police and claims the City of Bakersfield failed to maintain a safe roadway. The complaint describes the area as dark, heavily trafficked by both vehicles and pedestrians, lacking nearby crosswalks, and known for speeding vehicles.
The incident occurred around 3:30 AM on June 17, 2024, near the 1500 block of South Union Avenue. According to BPD, two officers were responding to a reported auto theft in progress downtown. Their patrol car, driven by Officer Julian Garcia, did not have emergency lights or sirens activated at the time of the collision.
Flores suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. One of the officers in the vehicle sustained minor injuries. Both officers were placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol, while the department launched a critical incident investigation.
The lawsuit, filed in December, seeks justice for Flores’ daughter. While no specific dollar amount has been attached to the case, a hearing is scheduled for April 4.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash and encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Wrongful Death Claims
Losing a loved one in a traffic accident is devastating, and the pain can be made worse by the financial strain that often follows. Medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of income to support dependents of the deceased can leave families struggling.
Filing a Wrongful Death claim against those responsible can provide compensation to help with these expenses. However, insurance companies will always try to pay as little as possible, making it difficult for families to receive the full amount they deserve.
This is why having an experienced personal injury attorney is essential so that they can fight to make sure you receive fair compensation and justice for your loved one.
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.
