BAKERSFIELD, CA (December 1, 2025) — The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified an elderly man who died days after being struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle as 81-year-old Ruben Diza Agbayani of Bakersfield.
Accident Details: The coroner’s report stated that on November 17 at around 8:40 a.m., Agbayani was riding his bicycle on Belle Terrace, west of Butler Road, when he was struck by a vehicle. He was transported to Kern Medical, where he later died from his injuries on November 22.
Investigation: Authorities have not released information about the circumstances of the collision or the vehicle involved. It remains unclear whether the driver remained at the scene or if any citations have been issued.
Legal Considerations: Elderly cyclists face heightened vulnerability in traffic collisions due to age-related factors that can affect balance, reaction time, and physical resilience. When an 81-year-old bicyclist is struck and survives for days before succumbing to injuries, it demonstrates both the severity of the impact and the victim’s struggle to recover.
Bicycle accidents involving elderly victims often result in complications such as broken bones, internal injuries, and head trauma that prove fatal even with medical intervention. The five-day period between the collision and Agbayani’s death likely involved intensive medical care and difficult decisions for his family.
California law protects bicyclists’ right to use roadways and requires drivers to exercise due care when sharing the road with vulnerable users. Drivers must maintain safe passing distances, watch for cyclists, and yield appropriately at intersections.
Wrongful death claims in bicycle accidents seek to compensate families for medical expenses incurred during treatment, funeral costs, and the loss of their loved one’s companionship. Once the investigation reveals how the collision occurred and whether driver negligence contributed, Agbayani’s family will better understand their legal options for holding the responsible party accountable.
We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Ruben Diza Agbayani during this sorrowful time.
Source: BakersfieldNow