Kern County coroner ID’s 2 of 3 killed in Friday crash
The Kern County coroner released the identities of two of the three people killed in a collision early Friday morning on Weedpatch Highway.
Denise Melinda Rivera, 31, of Bakersfield, was in a Toyota Corolla driven by Alfonso Abarca Gaspar, 58, of Maricopa, around 2:27 a.m. Friday, when the car was struck by a 2000 Jeep Cherokee driven by Marcia Luqueleyson, 38, of Lamont.
Luqueleyson, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after the crash, sustained major injuries. CHP officers reported her vehicle was headed in the wrong direction when it struck the Corolla. The identity of the passenger in Luqueleyson’s SUV was not released as of Monday evening.
The crash is still under investigation.
Kern County sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Ridgecrest Substation and Kern Valley Substation seized two pounds of suspected methamphetamine, 36 grams of heroin and 14 pounds of processed marijuana while serving a search warrant Nov. 23 in the 1400 block of Highway 14 in Inyokern, according to a KCSO news release issued Monday.
During the search of the residence, deputies also reported finding two handguns and ammunition, according to a KCSO news release issued Monday.
As a result of their investigation, deputies arrested Roy Stevens, 70, of Inyokern, on suspicion of several felony drug and weapon-related allegations, including possession of narcotics for sale, possession of a controlled substance while armed and possession of a firearm by a known felon. He was booked into the Kern County Jail.
Timothy Kowalski, 57, whose city of residence was not listed, was arrested for an unrelated felony warrant from Inyo County, according to deputies. Kowalski was booked into the Inyo County Jail for his active warrant.
Anyone with additional information can call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.
California Highway Patrol officers are investigating a fatal crash involving two vehicles at the intersection of Highway 119 at Buena Vista Road in Bakersfield on Monday.
A 2018 Honda Civic traveling south on Buena Vista Road approaching Highway 119 at an unknown speed failed to stop for a posted stop sign around 7:40 a.m., according to a preliminary report by CHP officers who responded to the crash. The Civic was broadsided by a 2016 Scion TC heading east on Highway 119.
The crash caused the Honda to overturn and come to rest in an almond orchard southeast of the intersection. The driver of that car, identified only as a 22-yearold woman, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the Scion sustained minor injuries and was taken to Kern Medical.
At this time, it is unknown if alcohol or drugs played a factor in the crash. The identity of the decedent is being withheld pending the notification of her next of kin.
The coroner’s office released the identity of a man who was killed in a truck-versus-SUV crash around 12:48 p.m. Sunday.
Jose Antonio Cedillos Sr., 38, of Bakersfield, was the passenger of a truck who was killed when it collided with an SUV at the intersection of Highway 204 and Q Street in Bakersfield.
The Kern County coroner’s office released the identity of a man killed in a Nov. 17 traffic collision on the southbound lanes of Interstate 5.
Jaime Velazquez Velazquez, 62, of Bakersfield, was killed in a crash that happened at around 3:21 p.m. on Interstate 5, one mile north of Highway 46 near Lost Hills.
The Kern County coroner’s office identified a motorcyclist who was struck and killed Friday in a collision on Palm Avenue in Shafter, after losing control of his vehicle, according to a KCSO news release.
Bryan Steven Jara Jr., 24, of Wasco, died around 4:56 p.m. Friday after the motorcycle he was riding was hit by a Nissan Sentra.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office identified the man believed to have died from a gunshot wound Nov. 22 on the 5200 block of Panama Lane in Bakersfield.
Julio Cesar Solis Arellano, 25, of Bakersfield, was pronounced dead around 1:25 a.m., shortly after officers arrived at the scene of the shooting.
The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in finding a girl reported missing.
Brooke Sigrest was last seen at 6:30 p.m. Nov.
14, in the 5900 block of Meadow Oaks Court.
Sigrest is considered at risk because she has no prior history of running away. Sigrest is described as a White girl, 17 years old, 5 feet, 3 inches tall, 100 pounds, with blue eyes and black shoulder-length hair. She also has nose and ear piercings.
Anyone with information of Sigrest’s whereabouts can contact the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.