BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It’s a startling trend, and it’s only getting worse. Kern County is starting the new year with a streak of violence after four lives are lost to homicides.
Last year, there were 10 total homicides in January, making it the second deadliest month of 2024 compared to October with 12. Now, a year later, we’re up to four homicides into the first week of 2025.
Three people were killed on New Year’s Day. The first was a man who was killed in a suspected DUI crash that’s left three others fighting for their lives.
The coroner says 23-year-old Deonte John Brown was the passenger of a car that crashed with a light pole at Ming Avenue and Westholme Boulevard just after 1 a.m. Wednesday.
The driver says a rear passenger grabbed the steering wheel causing the crash, but the Bakersfield Police Department says the driver was under the influence. The case is now headed to the District Attorney for possible charges including vehicular homicide.
Total number of homicides in Kern County drops to lowest yearly rate in a decade