KCSO investigating man’s death

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a man found dead late Thursday night in east Bakersfield.

Deputies responded to Niles Street and Pesante Road at 11:59 p.m. Thursday after receiving reports of a car accident. Responding deputies found a man suffering from a gunshot wound, and medical personnel declared him dead at the scene, said KCSO spokeswoman Lori Meza.

The victim’s identity has not been released, Meza said. The incident is under investigation and residents can call the KCSO at 616-8613110 or the Secret Witness line at 661-322-4040 with any information.

Bakersfield Police Department officers arrested a 13-year-old boy early Thursday morning after a brief pursuit and then a crash south of the 1500 block of Watts Drive.

BPD officers attempted to stop the White GMC Yukon the boy was driving at around 1:37 a.m. in the 1600 block of Chester Avenue, according to a BPD news release.

The driver failed to yield and led them on a vehicle pursuit, failing to stop at traffic control devices and driving in the opposite lanes of travel near the intersection of Casa Loma Drive at Madison Street.

The 13-year-old driver and sole occupant abandoned Yukon and fled on foot after crashing into a ditch in fields near Watts Drive.

The juvenile was located and arrested without incident. He was placed under arrest for felony evading, charges associated with the vehicle pursuit and possession of a stolen vehicle, as it was determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Bakersfield Police at 661-327-7111.