This story has been updated with information from the Kern County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office identifying one of the victims.
Two people were killed Saturday evening, March 28, 2026, after a vehicle crashed into a tree and caught fire along Highway 178 near Weldon, according to the California Highway Patrol and Kern County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.
CHP officers were dispatched at approximately 4:27 p.m. to a solo-vehicle crash east of Kels Valley Road. According to CHP Public Information Officer Officer Toro, a Lexus RX400 was traveling eastbound on Highway 178 when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered off the roadway to the right and struck a tree…