BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — UPDATE (MAY 2, 2026, 1:35 p.m.): The California Highway Patrol reported both directions on Highway 178 would be closed, so crews could recover the vehicle involved in Friday night’s crash around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Highway 178 reopened in both directions around 1:22 p.m.
A major crash involving a car that struck a utility pole along Highway 178 on Friday night has led to one-way traffic in the Kern Canyon area as crews work to repair the pole, according to authorities.
The California Highway Patrol Incident Page reported the crash first happened on Friday night around 7:20 p.m. in the area northeast of the Kern Hydroelectric Plant.
Reports indicated a black Tesla had veered off the roadway for unknown reasons, and ultimately crashed into an embankment near the Kern River.
At least one person suffered major injuries and was taken to Kern Medical for treatment. There are no details on their current condition.
The crash also caused damage to a utility pole believed to belong to AT&T. The pole, along with hanging wires, created an immediate hazard, prompting a coordinated response from utility crews and traffic control teams.
Authorities shut down portions of Hwy. 178 in both directions overnight, so crews could work on repairs.
According to Caltrans, the affected area of the Kern Canyon remains under one-way traffic control as repair work continues.
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Drivers should expect delays through the area in the meantime. Caltrans said the estimated time of reopening is 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.