21-year-old Earlimart motorcyclist dies after crash on Pond Road in Delano

A 21-year-old motorcyclist was killed after a vehicle turned left into his path at the intersection of Pond Road and Stradley Avenue in Delano Sunday night. The California Highway Patrol said on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at around 9:12 p.m., officers were called to the intersection of Pond Road and Stradley Avenue for a report of a two-vehicle crash. CHP said a preliminary investigation found that a 21-year-old man from Earlimart was riding a 2012 Honda CBR600 motorcycle westbound on Pond Road, east of Stradley Avenue. A 58-year-old female from Delano was driving a 2014 Nissan Rogue eastbound on Pond Road, west of Stradley Avenue, approaching the intersection. According to CHP, for reasons still under investigation, the driver of the Nissan made a left turn onto northbound Stradley Avenue, directly into the path of the Honda motorcycle. The motorcyclist was unable to take evasive action, and the front of the Honda struck the right side of the Nissan. CHP said emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and pronounced the 21-year-old motorcyclist dead. The driver of the Nissan and her passenger, identified as a woman, sustained minor injuries. It is unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs were factors in this crash, according to CHP. Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call the CHP Bakersfield Area office at (661) 396-6600.