Raul Inguanzo Jr. dies in fatal Bakersfield car crash
Fatal Bakersfield car crash death of Raul Inguanzo Jr.
A tragic multi-vehicle collision resulted in the death of a tow truck driver early Friday morning. The incident occurred on Highway 58 near Driver Road. The affected section of the roadway remained closed for nearly eleven hours before being reopened. Two other drivers suffered significant injuries requiring hospitalization.
According to the California Highway Patrol incident report from June 27, 2025, emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene at approximately 12:38 a.m. The initial report indicated a complex traffic crash involving multiple vehicles, with one vehicle completely consumed by flames. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2018 Freightliner truck towing a semi-trailer was traveling westbound when it crossed the center line.
CHP investigators determined that this westbound Freightliner collided with an eastbound 2021 Freightliner tow truck. Following this impact, the burning 2018 Freightliner and its attached trailer continued westward. The失控 combination struck a 2003 Honda Odyssey minivan before crashing into a power pole, subsequently igniting a small brush fire.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the deceased driver of the 2021 Freightliner tow truck was identified as Raul Inguanzo Jr., a thirty-nine-year-old Bakersfield resident. The driver of the 2018 Freightliner and the driver of the Honda Odyssey were transported to Kern Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
California Highway Patrol officials stated that the cause of the initial lane crossing remains under investigation. Detectives have not yet ruled out any potential factors including alcohol or drug influence. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities invite anyone with potential information about the incident to contact the CHP Bakersfield Area Office at (661) 396-6600.
Highway 58 traffic was completely diverted during the extensive cleanup and repair operations. Drivers were advised to utilize alternative routes until further notice. The prolonged road closure significantly impacted local traffic patterns throughout the early morning hours.
