BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A 22-year-old man was killed after a vehicle allegedly involved in a pursuit with Bakersfield police was trying to avoid a spike strip and struck him early Saturday morning. Two people inside the vehicle were arrested.
The Bakersfield Police Department said on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at around 1:30 am, officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) were trying to find a wanted suspect, 21-year-old Isaiah Andrade.
Police said Andrade had an active Ramey warrant for his arrest for firearm possession and gang-related charges, and the gun was still believed to be in his possession at the time of this investigation.
According to police, Andrade was observed near Clover Mountain Court and Pine Meadow Drive in Oildale, and when officers tried to apprehend him, he entered the passenger side of a vehicle and drove away from officers.
SEU officers pursued the suspect vehicle, driven by 20-year-old Gabriel Lopez, who continued to evade officers at high speeds, according to police.
Police said as the suspect vehicle traveled south on Airport Drive, officers deployed spike strips as an intervention technique at the intersection of Airport Drive and Olive Drive.
Bakersfield police said the suspect vehicle tried to avoid the spike strips, lost control, and struck a man on the west sidewalk of the roadway. The pedestrian died.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office identified the pedestrian as 22-year-old Kevin Daniel Stevens of Bakersfield.
Both Lopez and Andrade ran away from the vehicle but were quickly apprehended by SEU officers following a minor use of force.
A pedestrian was killed after a vehicle allegedly involved in a pursuit with Bakersfield police was trying to avoid a spike strip and struck him early Saturday morning. PHOTO: KNN.NEWS
Lopez and Andrade were both taken to a hospital for medical clearance and will be booked for applicable criminal charges related to firearms possession, gang activity, felony evading, and Andrade’s arrest warrant.
A pedestrian was killed after a vehicle allegedly involved in a pursuit with Bakersfield police was trying to avoid a spike strip and struck him early Saturday morning. PHOTO: KNN.NEWS
The California Highway Patrol is handling the traffic collision investigation. BPD is conducting a related criminal investigation.
A pedestrian was killed after a vehicle allegedly involved in a pursuit with Bakersfield police was trying to avoid a spike strip and struck him early Saturday morning. PHOTO: KNN.NEWS
Police said pending criminal charges related to the crash and the pedestrian’s death will be determined and applied by CHP at the end of their investigation.
This investigation is being treated as a critical incident by BPD, and an administrative investigation is being conducted.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.