Driver identified in deadly crash on Kimberlina

The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the 18-year-old driver from Wasco involved in a fatal crash on Kimberlina Road on Dec. 7. Luis Jesus Rios was killed after his vehicle collided with a piece of farm equipment.

The incident occurred about 7:30 a.m. when Rios was driving a GMC Sierra pickup truck eastbound on Kimberlina Road near Root Avenue. Despite the dense fog that reduced visibility, Rios was traveling at an unsafe speed, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At the same time, a John Deere tractor was crossing the road southbound, pulling a horse trailer. The driver of the GMC was unable to slow down in time, and the truck collided with the right side of the tractor’s implement.

Emergency responders from the Kern County Fire Department worked quickly to extricate Rios from the vehicle. He was then rushed to Kern Medical Hospital in Bakersfield, where he was pronounced dead later that day. The CHP continues to investigate the crash, though no signs of alcohol or drugs have been reported as factors at this time.

The tractor operator, unharmed in the collision, is cooperating with the investigation, according to the CHP.