Shafter, California (March 22, 2026) — An 88-year-old woman died days after she was injured in a collision involving a Kern County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle near Shafter, according to authorities.
CHP said the crash happened at Magnolia Avenue and Lerdo Highway, and Maria Cervantes Vasquez later died at Kern Medical on March 28. She was a passenger in a 2024 Nissan Altima involved in the collision.
The crash happened at about 1:00 p.m. on March 22, 2026, at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Lerdo Highway.
Incident Details: According to the California Highway Patrol, a 2024 Nissan Altima was traveling eastbound on Lerdo Highway with three people inside when a fully marked Kern County Sheriff’s Office Ford Explorer patrol vehicle approached the intersection southbound on Magnolia Avenue. CHP said Magnolia Avenue has stop signs, while Lerdo Highway does not. For reasons still under investigation, the patrol vehicle entered the intersection and was struck on the passenger side by the Nissan.
All of the people involved were injured and taken to Kern Medical, with injuries reported to range from minor to major. Maria Cervantes Vasquez, who was riding as a passenger in the Nissan, died from her injuries six days later, on March 28. One later report identified the deputy as Juan Cuevas and stated he had been placed on leave following the deadly collision.
Investigation: CHP is continuing its investigation into the crash. In a collision involving a patrol vehicle entering a through-highway intersection, investigators will likely focus on right-of-way, visibility, speed, and whether the deputy came to a complete stop before entering Lerdo Highway. Because Magnolia Avenue was controlled by stop signs and Lerdo Highway was not, that traffic control setup is likely to be central to the investigation.
Crash reconstruction will likely include a review of vehicle damage, scene measurements, witness statements, and any in-car or body-worn camera footage. Investigators may also examine whether emergency equipment was activated, whether the patrol unit entered the intersection safely, and whether any other factors affected the deputy’s decision-making.
Legal Considerations: Crashes involving law enforcement vehicles raise difficult civil liability questions. Since this case involves a public agency vehicle, civil claims may face special procedural rules and deadlines not applicable to typical car crashes. Cases with government defendants often rely on early evidence preservation, making prompt, thorough investigation crucial.
If evidence indicates that the patrol vehicle entered the intersection unsafely or did not yield the right-of-way, Maria’s family may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. Such a claim could cover funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and the absence of love and companionship. Any surviving injured occupants of the Nissan may also have personal injury claims for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care needs.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Maria Cervantes Vasquez, and I wish healing to everyone else injured in the crash.
Source: YourCentralValley