Zachariah Nathaniel Byrd dies in fatal Bakersfield Westside Parkway hit-and-run
Fatal Bakersfield Westside Parkway hit-and-run death of Zachariah Nathaniel Byrd
Zachariah Nathaniel Byrd, 36, of Bakersfield, was fatally struck by a vehicle on May 3 on the Westside Parkway, according to the Kern County coroner.
Authorities responded around 6:23 a.m. to the eastbound lanes near the Mohawk Street off-ramp, where officers discovered human remains scattered along a half-mile stretch but found no vehicle or driver at the scene.
The suspected driver, Tomice Fryman, later turned himself in to police at approximately 4:15 p.m. and admitted to being behind the wheel during the fatal crash. Fryman reportedly drove away from the scene and then went home after the incident.
Investigations revealed Fryman’s driver’s license was suspended due to prior DUI convictions from 2015 and 2021. He faces multiple charges including murder, vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run causing death or serious injury, and driving with a suspended license.
Fryman has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is due back in court on August 19 for a hearing.
