Authorities have identified 26-year-old Angel Madrigal of Moreno Valley as the victim of a fatal crash on Interstate 5 in Bakersfield. The two-vehicle collision happened around 9:23 p.m. on May 8 on the southbound side of the freeway near Lost Hills Road. Madrigal, who was driving a car, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Kern Medical. He died there on May 13, according to the Kern County Coroner’s Office. Details about the second vehicle and the cause of the crash have not yet been released. The California Highway Patrol is investigating.
Accident News Report
The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died following a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 in Bakersfield as 26-year-old Angel Madrigal of Moreno Valley.
The collision occurred around 9:23 p.m. on May 8 on the southbound 5 Freeway near Lost Hills Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Investigators said Madrigal was driving a car on the freeway when, for reasons still under investigation, his vehicle collided with another vehicle.
Madrigal sustained serious injuries in the crash and was transported to Kern Medical for treatment. The coroner’s office reported that he died at the hospital on May 13.
No additional information about the other vehicle or possible contributing factors has been released. The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the incident.
Important Details
approximately 9:23 p.m. on May 8, 2026
southbound Interstate 5 near Lost Hills Road in Bakersfield, Kern County, California
two-vehicle collision on a freeway
26-year-old Angel Madrigal of Moreno Valley
May 13, 2026, five days after the crash
California Highway Patrol (CHP)
What California law says after a car accident
Who may bring a wrongful death claim in California
When a collision results in death, California law allows specific family members to bring a wrongful death claim. The categories are defined by statute and generally include a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and, where there is no surviving spouse or issue, others who would be entitled to the property of the person who died. Certain dependents, including a putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents who were financially dependent, may also qualify.
A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own losses, including financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of the companionship, guidance, and society the person provided.
A separate claim, called a survival action, covers losses the person themselves sustained before death, such as medical expenses and lost earnings. California law changed here. For survival actions filed on or after January 1, 2026, damages for the decedent’s own pain, suffering, or disfigurement are no longer recoverable. Cases filed before that date are not affected, and different rules can apply in elder abuse matters.
Eligibility depends on family circumstances, filing deadlines are strict, and the damages available depend in part on when a case is filed.
Reporting requirements after a California collision
California imposes reporting duties on drivers that are separate from any insurance claim.
A report must be filed with the DMV on form SR-1 within ten days of a collision that caused any injury, any death, or more than one thousand dollars in property damage to any one person. This duty applies regardless of fault, applies even when police responded and wrote their own report, and is not satisfied by notifying an insurance company. With current repair costs, most collisions that involve a body shop meet the damage threshold.
A separate rule covers collisions causing injury or death. The driver must make a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police department where the collision happened in a city, within twenty four hours. The statute states this duty for every injury or fatal collision. In practice, where officers responded and completed a report at the scene, that report generally satisfies the agency’s need, but a driver who assumes this without confirming it is relying on practice rather than on the text of the law.
Missing the DMV deadline can lead to suspension of driving privileges, an outcome unrelated to who caused the collision.
Information for Families After a Fatal Collision
Losing a family member in a collision raises urgent legal questions, often long before anyone feels ready to ask them. These guides set out the basics, with no obligation attached.
- California wrongful death attorney: who may file, the deadlines that apply, and what a claim covers
- Los Angeles car accident lawyer: fault, insurance offers, and what a claim is worth
- All practice areas
Injured in This Accident? Get Trusted Legal Guidance
After an accident, the right information can make a meaningful difference. If you or a loved one was hurt, The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. can help you understand your rights, evaluate your options, and determine whether legal action may be available.
Speak with our legal team today and get clear guidance before making important decisions.