Sibichan Varghese Killed in Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident
The 54-year-old Stevenson Ranch man was struck by a pickup truck Thursday night on Snow Road
Sibichan Varghese, 54, of Stevenson Ranch, was killed in a pedestrian crash on Snow Road near Quail Creek Road in Bakersfield on Thursday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
An 82-year-old man driving a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado westbound at approximately 40 mph struck the pedestrian in the number one lane. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Paramedics pronounced the man, Varghese, dead at the crash site. The pickup driver was not injured.
Authorities said alcohol and drugs were not considered factors in the crash.
The crash happened west of Hollow Brook Drive in northwest Bakersfield. The crash remains under investigation.
What factors are examined in a Snow Road pedestrian collision?
Families who lose a loved one in a sudden pedestrian collision face immense grief and a complex path forward. While preliminary reports indicate the pedestrian was outside a marked crosswalk, investigators will thoroughly examine all factors, including driver attention, speed, and lighting conditions.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, said, "Pedestrians are deeply vulnerable when speeding, impaired driving, or poor visibility combine with larger vehicles, often leading to devastating outcomes."
Even when a pedestrian is partially at fault, California's legal framework provides avenues for grieving families to seek justice.
According to Stefano Formica, who serves as a national legal analyst for Accident News and is of counsel at Bond Legal, "A skilled attorney may gather video footage, review cellphone records, examine visibility conditions, and work with investigators to better understand serious pedestrian collisions."
How does impaired driving impact pedestrian safety in Kern County?
In many pedestrian accidents, law enforcement must rule out impairment, a leading cause of fatal collisions statewide. Local authorities frequently conduct DUI checkpoints to combat this ongoing threat to vulnerable road users.
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide an injured victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights, while ensuring that a driver who takes the wheel under the influence is held accountable for their actions," added Bond.
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.