BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — New footage from the Bakersfield Police Department provides a few more details about how officers struck and killed a pedestrian on South Union Avenue, but the family feels more could have been done by the officers to prevent his death.
According to BPD, it started on June 17 after a report of an auto theft in progress near 19th Street, at about 3:30 am.
“Possible subject actively stealing vehicles,” said a dispatcher.
As Officers Julian Garcia and Zachary Ward responded to the call, the driver, Officer Garcia, struck and killed 27-year-old Brandon Gabriel Flores, while Flores was walking outside of the crosswalk. Flores was killed the day after Father’s Day, which he spent with his three-year-old daughter he leaves behind.
It was also the last time he spoke to his father, Humberto Solano.
“He said ‘I love you’ and I said I love you. That’s the last time I talked to him,” said Solano.
Solano hadn’t seen the BPD footage until speaking with 17 News.
“He didn’t have time to run or move,” said Solano.