Felipe Lopez (Full Name: Felipe Matamoros Lopez), 26, from Santa Maria, Died in Tractor Trailer Truck Accident on Highway 166
KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (December 22, 2025) – A pedestrian identified as Felipe Lopez was killed in a Kern County semi-truck accident on Highway 166, south of Maricopa.
Kern County officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:19 PM on December 15. Felipe Lopez was driving a Honda Civic with four passengers.
He stopped on the westbound shoulder of the freeway after avoiding vehicles and hitting an embankment. While attempting to enter his vehicle, he was hit by a semi truck traveling westbound on Highway 166.
The truck reversed after the initial collision and ran the victim over again. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. Tragically, Felipe Lopez died due to the severe nature of his injuries.
He is survived by a wife and two children. You can help support the family of the victim through GoFundMe.
According to the GoFundMe page, “Our family sincerely appreciates your support and contribution in helping to lay our uncle to rest. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this page with your friends and family. All you help is greatly appreciated.”
Liability for Kern County Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial license. They’re expected to operate with a great deal of care to avoid car accidents. To that end, they must continuously scan the road ahead of them and slow down for potential hazards. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” Several factors could contribute to a semi-truck accident.
- Driver Inexperience: Truck drivers are much more likely to be involved in serious collisions when they have less experience. Driving a commercial truck is substantially more difficult than operating a passenger vehicle.
- Driver Fatigue: Driver fatigue is another major cause of truck accidents. Truck drivers are often pushed to work long hours and may naturally become fatigued as they attempt to be as efficient as possible with their routes.
- Speeding: A fully loaded semi-truck traveling at 65 mph can take the length of two football fields to come to a stop. This distance increases at higher speeds. It is vital that truck drivers maintain a safe speed at all times.
- Inclement Weather: Another common cause of truck accidents is inclement weather. Poor weather conditions can impair a driver’s ability to see traffic ahead of them and slow down in case of an emergency.
If a truck driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian in the roadway, this could be construed as negligence. The company that the truck driver worked for could also be held at fault for the crash. As a general rule, employers can be vicariously liable for the negligent conduct of their employees–insofar as those workers were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. This may include instances where a truck was being used to haul cargo.
Steps to Take After Kern County Truck Accidents
Many people are killed or seriously injured in accidents with commercial trucks every year. According to the National Safety Council, “A total of 5,472 people died in large-truck crashes in 2023. The number of deaths decreased 8% from 2022 but is up 40% in the last 10 years. The majority of deaths in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles (70%), followed by truck occupants (18%), and non-occupants, primarily pedestrians and bicyclists (12%).” It is important that certain actions be taken after any truck accident.
- Medical Records: All of the medical records and autopsy reports related to injuries should be collected. They can help determine how an accident took place.
- Evidence Preservation: All of the evidence associated with the collision should be preserved. This will include any photos or potential surveillance footage of the crash.
- Event Data Recorder: Most commercial trucks will come with an event data recorder. This captures key information about how a truck was being used and can be useful when establishing liability.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died in a Kern County semi-truck accident should seek the guidance of a legal team with experience in tort claims. A legal team can evaluate all of the facts of your case and identify all liable parties.
The vast majority of truck accidents are preventable. They tend to involve situations where truck drivers are not paying adequate attention to the road ahead of them. Even if a pedestrian is in the middle of the roadway, this does not relieve a truck driver of their duty to slow down to avoid a collision. Victims of truck accidents are protected by a number of laws. In particular, the family of any person killed due to the negligence of a truck driver may be able to pursue some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim under CCP § 377.60.
Investigating Kern County Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Felipe Lopez. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the California Highway Patrol. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the truck driver prior to the crash? What is the safety record of the company that operated the truck?
Do you need more information about a Kern County truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and holding truck companies accountable for the negligent actions of their drivers. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
