BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A man accused of driving under the influence and causing a crash that killed a 12-year-old girl and injured an 11-year-old boy at a south Bakersfield intersection is set to return to court later this month.
Diego Godinez was held to answer on all charges on Wednesday, according to Kern County court records. Records show Godinez is due back in court on May 18, 2026, to face charges of murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI causing bodily harm, and reckless driving.
PREVIOUS REPORTING: 12-year-old girl killed in Bakersfield crash; DUI suspect arrested for manslaughter
Bakersfield police said officers responded around 7:24 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2024, to the intersection of South Union Avenue and Hosking Avenue and found two vehicles involved in a crash: a Chevrolet SUV and a Honda sedan.
Investigators determined the Chevrolet was traveling northbound on South Union Avenue, and the Honda was making a left turn into the northbound lanes when the crash happened. A woman and three other passengers were inside the Honda, police said. Godinez was later identified as the driver of the Chevrolet SUV.
Police said two juvenile passengers in the Honda — an 11-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl — were badly hurt in the crash. The 12-year-old girl later died.
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Bakersfield police determined that the driver of the Chevrolet, Godinez, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and arrested him.