Mark Andrew Morales Obituary, Death – Updated at 11:40 a.m., according to Bakersfield, California (KBAK/KBFX): Mark Andrew Morales, 61 years old, was confirmed as the deceased individual by the Kern County Coroner’s Office. Morales was a resident of McFarland. A driver who is suspected of being involved in a hit-and-run accident near Pond, which resulted in the death of a bystander who was standing at a mailbox, is being sought by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The California Highway Patrol reported that on November 17, 2023, at approximately 2:47 p.m., officers were dispatched to the scene of a hit-and-run accident that took place at the intersection of Benner Avenue and Schuster Road, specifically in the vicinity of Pond. A preliminary investigation conducted by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) revealed that an unidentified driver was operating a 2007 Cadillac traveling northbound on Benner Avenue that was approaching a stop sign at the junction with Schuster Road at an indeterminate speed.
At a speed that could not be estimated, a driver of a 2018 Ford was traveling eastward on Schuster Road in the direction of the intersection with Benner Avenue. According to the California Highway Patrol, a pedestrian, who has been identified as a male, was standing on the north dirt shoulder of Schuster Road east of the intersection looking at a mailbox that was located just west of his parked Chevrolet. The Ford continued forward into the intersection that was clear.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the Cadillac entered the junction without stopping for the stop sign that was displayed, which resulted in the collision with the Ford. The reasons for this are still being investigated. The California Highway Patrol said that the Ford lost control and drove in a northeasterly direction, making contact with the pedestrian and then going on to make contact with the Chevrolet. According to the State Highway Patrol, the pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was transported to Kern Medical Center. In the aftermath of this collision, the driver of the Cadillac fled the scene of the accident. The Bakersfield County Sheriff’s Office received word on November 19, 2023, that the pedestrian had passed away as a result of the injuries he sustained in this collision. It has not been determined whether or not drugs or alcohol played a role in this collision.
