New DUI crash numbers shine strong light on Kern’s sober reality

Jenny Huh
·2 min read

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Alcohol-related traffic accidents are nothing new to Kern County.

In fact, there was a crash just this weekend at the intersection of Panama Lane and Buena Vista Road, in which the driver allegedly was intoxicated. New numbers from the California Highway Patrol reveal just how many DUI crashes are on our local roads. Over five years, from 2019 to so far in 2024, there have been nearly 6,000 DUI crashes in Kern County.

More concerning is that CHP says that number is pretty normal. Of those near 6,000 crashes, 227 were fatal, leading to the death of 263 individuals. 2,344 of those crashes led to injuries, which left a total of 3,538 victims injured.

In 3,358 of the crashes, only property — vehicles — were damaged. Keep in mind, these numbers will only go up as the year progresses.

So far in 2024, there have been nearly 500 DUI crashes, 10 fatalities and 267 injuries. In 2019, a total of 35 people died in DUI crashes here in Kern. The youngest victim was 13; the oldest was 66.

In 2020, 62 total victims died. The youngest was 17; the oldest 84. In 2021, 62 total died in DUI crashes. The youngest was 5; the oldest 85.

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In 2022, 47 total died. The youngest victim was just one-year-old; the oldest, 70. One of the victim’s age is not stated.

In 2023, 47 died. The youngest was 15; the oldest was 68. Already in 2024, 10 total have died. The youngest victim was 5; the oldest, 59.

Again, since 2019, 263 total people have died in DUI crashes in Kern. According to the DMV, DUI can mean arrests, court hearings, suspension or revocation of one’s driver’s license and more.

On DUI-related arrests made in Kern, CHP said:

  • 208 arrests so far, as of 6/28/24

  • 3,254 arrests over the last five years

  • 758 of those arrests were drug-related (40 so far in 2024)

  • 2, 496 of those were alcohol-related (168 so far in 2024)

On DUI-related arrests made in the city of Bakersfield, CHP said:

  • 184 arrests so far, as of 6/28/24

  • 3,070 arrests over the last five years

  • 735 of those arrests were drug-related (39 so far in 2024)

  • 2,335 of those arrests were alcohol-related (145 so far in 2024)

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