Luis Antonio Merced Jr. Obituary, Death: Driver ID’d in fatal solo crash on Highway 99, says coroner
Luis Antonio Merced Jr. Obituary, Death – The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 99 as 35-year-old Luis Antonio Merced Jr., a resident of Bakersfield.
The fatal accident occurred on the evening of Friday, July 11, 2025. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), officers from the Bakersfield Area division were dispatched around 7:38 p.m. in response to a report of a solo-vehicle crash on Highway 99, just south of Kimberlina Road.
Based on a preliminary investigation, authorities determined that Merced Jr. had been driving a 2002 Ford Escape heading north on Highway 99. His exact speed at the time of the incident is still unknown. For reasons that are not yet clear, the vehicle suddenly veered in a northeasterly direction, departing from the east side of the highway.
The Ford then traveled along the dirt shoulder, continued past the edge, and launched off a dirt berm that forms part of the Kimberlina Road onramp to northbound Highway 99. After becoming airborne, the SUV landed in the dirt gore point—a wedge-shaped area that separates lanes—just north of the onramp. The vehicle then rolled over during the crash.
CHP reported that Merced Jr. was not wearing a seatbelt at the time. He was thrown from the vehicle during the rollover and landed on the dirt embankment near Kimberlina Road. Tragically, he died as a result of his injuries.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway. It is currently unknown if alcohol, drugs, or any other contributing factors played a role in the crash. The incident remains under investigation as officers work to piece together the events leading up to the deadly collision.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and no additional injuries were reported. It is also unclear whether Merced Jr. had been alone in the vehicle or if weather or road conditions may have influenced the accident.
CHP has emphasized the importance of seatbelt use, especially in single-vehicle crashes where ejection from the vehicle often results in fatal outcomes. The force of a rollover crash is particularly dangerous when a driver is not properly restrained.
As the investigation continues, officials are likely to examine the vehicle, review road and traffic data, and possibly conduct toxicology tests to determine whether any impairing substances were involved.
Family, friends, and the local community are mourning the loss of Luis Antonio Merced Jr., whose life was cut short in this unexpected and tragic accident. The CHP has not released further updates but encourages anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact their office.
