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1300+A mother and her two daughters were killed early Sunday morning in a fiery, three-vehicle wrong-way crash on Highway 99 in Bakersfield, according to the California Highway Patrol.
How the Bakersfield Crash Happened
CHP said the crash occurred around 12:44 a.m. on Sunday, August 16, on southbound Highway 99 near 7th Standard Road. A vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes collided head-on with two other vehicles. Investigators have not yet determined which car was driving the wrong way, and it remains unknown whether alcohol or drugs were a factor.
The crash involved a 2022 Honda Accord, a white 2019 BMW 530i driven by a 44-year-old man, and a white 2022 Chevrolet Colorado driven by a 41-year-old woman. Upon impact, the Honda burst into flames, killing all three occupants inside.
Victims Identified
The Kern County Coroner’s Office identified the three victims as 41-year-old Vanessa Sue Schoettler (also reported as Wetmore) and her daughters, 20-year-old Kylie and 16-year-old Kloie, all of Bakersfield. Coroner’s reports indicate Kylie was driving, with Vanessa and Kloie riding as passengers.
The driver of the BMW suffered severe injuries, while the two occupants of the Chevrolet sustained minor injuries.
A Family Mourns
According to a GoFundMe page set up by loved ones, the family was returning from a concert in Fresno, where they had celebrated Kloie’s upcoming 17th birthday. Kloie would have turned 17 on Thursday — a birthday she shares with her surviving 15-year-old brother.
“What should have been a weekend filled with memories and a celebration of Kloie turning 17 has instead left a family trying to comprehend the loss of a mother and her two daughters all at once,” the GoFundMe states.
Wrong-Way Crashes and Legal Recourse
Wrong-way collisions are among the deadliest types of traffic accidents because they typically result in high-speed, head-on impacts. Victims and families of those killed or injured in wrong-way crashes may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit or personal injury claim, particularly if the at-fault driver was impaired, distracted, or otherwise negligent.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a wrong-way crash in Bakersfield or elsewhere in Kern County, the car accident attorneys at Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation your family deserves.
About the Author
JEFFREY FAYNGOR, ESQ.
Jeffrey Fayngor is the founder of Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer and an experienced personal injury attorney dedicated to representing accident victims. He earned his J.D. from Whittier College School of Law and has recovered over $120 million for injured clients. He has built his practice around helping injury victims protect their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.