Justen Cordell Lay Dies in Fatal Lamont Car Crash
Fatal Lamont car crash death of Justen Cordell Lay
The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the individual who passed away following a collision on Buena Vista Boulevard in Lamont. The deceased is identified as 42-year-old Justen Cordell Lay, a resident of Bakersfield.
According to the California Highway Patrol, emergency responders were dispatched to Buena Vista Boulevard, located west of Fairfax Road, on Friday, August 22, 2025, shortly before 8:26 p.m. due to a reported incident involving a motorist and a cyclist.
Preliminary findings from the CHP indicate that a 48-year-old man was operating a 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor, traveling eastbound on Buena Vista Boulevard during the night hours. The vehicle was reportedly moving at a speed estimated between 55 and 60 miles per hour.
The investigation also revealed that Justen Cordell Lay was operating a bicycle eastbound on the same road, positioned ahead of the Mitsubishi Endeavor. It was noted that his bicycle was not equipped with any lighting during the dark conditions.
A separate incident report mentioned a 28-year-old woman driving a 2018 Hyundai Accent, traveling westbound on Buena Vista Boulevard at the time of the collision.
The official account states that due to the lighting conditions and Lay’s position directly in the path of the first vehicle, the driver of the Mitsubishi Endeavor failed to notice him in sufficient time to avoid the collision. The vehicle’s front section subsequently made contact with the bicycle.
Following this initial impact, Lay was thrown from his bicycle into the westbound direction of traffic. In that location, the front left corner of the approaching Hyundai Accent made contact with the cyclist.
Medical personnel pronounced Lay deceased at the scene of the accident.
Both drivers involved in the collision stopped their vehicles immediately and assisted the investigation, reportedly cooperating with law enforcement.
In accordance with the ongoing investigation by the CHP, it has been determined that substance impairment, possibly involving alcohol or drugs, is considered a contributing factor in this tragic event.
