BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Bakersfield is grappling with a surge in DUI-related fatalities, with recent incidents highlighting the severity of the issue. Chris Hagan, a partner with Chain Cohn Clark, described the situation as an “epidemic,” noting, “You are more likely to be killed in a DUI crash in Bakersfield than any other city in the state of California.”
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On Monday, a tragic crash at East California Ave. and Haley St. resulted in the death of an 8-year-old boy. The Bakersfield Police Department reported that a black Nissan pickup truck, driven by 33-year-old Andres Serna, crashed through a fence and into a parking lot where a food truck was set up, striking a father and his son. The boy succumbed to his injuries early Tuesday morning. Serna, who has two prior DUI convictions, was arrested and is now facing a murder charge.
CREDIT: KBAK/KBFX, GoFundMe
Hagan criticized the state’s legal system, stating, “Now we’ve got a third incident involving the same repeat offender who, quite frankly, should be in jail. He should have been in jail before this crash.” He argued that California’s penalties are insufficient, calling the system a “failure for DUI victims.”
The issue is not isolated. Less than two months ago, 6-year-old girl, Azmeret Mayall, died in a similar crash. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), California has experienced a 40% increase in DUI fatalities from 2019 to 2023. As of Oct. 5, Bakersfield police have reported 10 fatal DUI crashes this year, with at least four more pending. DUI arrests have also risen, with over 550 arrests made between January and October this year, compared to about 450 during the same period last year.
A 6-year-old child died a day after a suspected DUI crash in southeast Bakersfield Sunday morning. The suspected DUI driver, 20-year-old Cesar Magana, was arrested. PHOTO: RD on the Scene, GoFundMe
Clara Shelton, a MADD national ambassador, shared her personal tragedy, saying, “That’s someone and their whole family who’s impacted forever by this horrible crime.” Shelton’s brother was killed by a drunk driver, leading her to join MADD to prevent other families from enduring similar pain. She urged people to consider the impact of their actions, especially during the holiday season, saying, “Think about who’s going to be with you for the holidays and who you want to be with you and how much you would be impacting a family if you took their loved one away from them at that time of year.”