BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — The passenger who died in a wrong-way crash Saturday on Highway 99 in Delano was identified as 55-year-old Joel Salomon Sanchez Perez, of Vallejo. Several others were hurt, and the highway was shut down temporarily overnight.
RELATED: Wrong-way crash on Highway 99 at Ninth Avenue in Delano leaves 1 dead, several hurt
At least four vehicles were involved in a crash that caused standstill traffic for southbound lanes of Highway 99 in the Delano area on Saturday night. This is a photo of CHP investigating the incident on Saturday night. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
The Kern County coroner identified the man as Joel Salomon Sanchez Perez on Wednesday. Authorities said Perez was a passenger in a Nissan involved in the crash.
California Highway Patrol officers were called to Highway 99 at Ninth Avenue for a report of a crash involving multiple vehicles and a wrong-way driver around 9:17 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Traffic came to a standstill overnight along Highway 99 near 11th Avenue as officers investigated.
At least four vehicles were involved in a crash that caused standstill traffic for southbound lanes of Highway 99 in the Delano area on Saturday night. This is a photo of CHP investigating the incident on Saturday night. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
A preliminary investigation found a 28-year-old man was driving a Tesla northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 99. A 49-year-old woman was driving a Nissan southbound, and a 23-year-old woman was driving a Dodge Charger southbound behind the Nissan.
For unknown reasons, the Tesla continued driving the wrong way and went directly into the path of the Nissan, eventually colliding with it, officials said. After the crash between the Tesla and the Nissan, the Dodge continued southbound, and the front of the Dodge crashed into the Nissan, according to authorities.
Officials said a passenger in the Nissan was found dead at the scene. The driver and an additional passenger in the Nissan suffered major injuries and were taken to the hospital. One person inside the Dodge suffered minor injuries.
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Officials said it appears alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the crash.