BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — At 11:59 p.m. on Labor Day, the deadliest season on Kern County roadways comes to an end — an end which was highlighted by dramatic and horrifying crashes on local roads just this week alone.
Bakersfield police officers deployed spike strips across southbound Airport Drive. The suspect vehicle approached at high speed, and tried veering away to avoid them, sliding into the right curb, then slamming into a bus stop bench where a pedestrian sat.
The pedestrian was declared dead on scene. The car then caught on fire.
The two suspects in the car fled on foot, but were quickly apprehended by authorities and booked into Lerdo on charges of gun possession, gang-related activity — and in this case, second–degree murder.
In a separate incident, a woman was struck and killed on South Union Avenue Sunday night.
Another man was struck and killed on Fairfax Road early Saturday morning — a pair of shoes found nearly a block away from where the body came to rest.
However, it is the footage of an innocent bystander being killed during a police chase that is stirring controversy.
When posted to social media, one user commented on this video saying “BPD is definitely at fault for this!!!!”
Another saying, “The officers were doing their job. While placement of the road spike strips can certainly be reviewed, we can’t ignore the reckless behavior that led to this situation in the first place…”
The Bakersfield Police Policy Manual is clear on the use of spike strips in a pursuit.
And get this — Policy 308.9.1 reads “Before deploying a tire deflation device, officers should consider factors such as: Speed of the fleeing vehicle – Traveling at high speeds increases the risk the suspect will lose control of the vehicle after driving over or swerving to avoid a tire deflation device.”
17 News tried getting further details from BPD, but were unable to during the Labor Day weekend.
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