BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A 44-year-old woman died Sunday night when she was struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle on Highway 178 at Union Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
RELATED: CHP: At least one dead after vehicle-pedestrian crash on Highway 178
At approximately 9:08 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2026, California Highway Patrol Bakersfield officers responded to the scene and determined it was a deadly crash involving a pedestrian on a bicycle and a vehicle.
CHP’s initial investigation revealed that a woman was riding her bicycle west on the Union Avenue off-ramp from westbound Highway 178.
At the same time, a 23-year-old man was driving a 2007 Honda sedan westbound on Highway 178 and was exiting onto Union Avenue.
Due to the location of the bicyclist and the lighting conditions, the Honda crashed into the bicyclist. The impact caused the woman to be ejected from her bicycle, resulting in fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Honda remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
It’s unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the crash. An autopsy is pending.
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The identity of the woman will be released at a later time by the Kern County Coroner’s Office.