Passenger Injured in Suspected DUI Crash on Interstate 5 Near Grapevine Road [Bakersfield, CA]

Driver Arrested on Suspicion of DUI After Crash on Interstate 5 in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, CA (September 28, 2026) — One person was arrested, and another was injured after a suspected DUI crash on Interstate 5 near Bakersfield Monday morning.

The crash occurred near Grapevine Road when a black Lexus left the roadway and overturned. Authorities have not released a reason for why the vehicle left the highway.

When California Highway Patrol officers arrived, they found the Lexus resting on its right side in the center median.

Two people occupied the vehicle at the time of the crash.

The Kern County Fire Department removed both occupants from the overturned vehicle. Both suffered injuries described as minor to moderate.

The 41-year-old driver, a San Francisco resident, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, according to authorities.

The 35-year-old passenger, also from San Francisco, was transported to Kern Medical for treatment.

The available report did not provide additional information about the passenger’s condition.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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Injured as a Passenger in a Suspected DUI Crash? Sweet Lawyers Can Help

A passenger can suffer serious physical and emotional consequences when a driver loses control of a vehicle. Those consequences can become even more complicated when authorities suspect that alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision.

At Sweet Lawyers, we understand that injured passengers may be left dealing with medical treatment, unexpected expenses, transportation challenges, and time away from work through no fault of their own.

Our personal injury team approaches these situations with compassion and focuses on helping injured people understand the legal resources that may be available to them.

A suspected impaired-driving crash can involve important evidence that may help investigators establish what happened.

Depending on the circumstances, this can include the police report, witness statements, photographs, vehicle damage, roadway evidence, available surveillance footage, toxicology information, and medical records.

Preserving relevant documentation can be important when an injured person needs to establish the circumstances and consequences of a collision.

The fact that the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence does not, by itself, determine civil liability or the outcome of any potential claim. The criminal investigation and any separate injury claim involve different processes, and the facts of each situation matter.

Passengers may also have questions about insurance coverage following a crash. Depending on the circumstances, potentially relevant insurance policies may include coverage associated with the vehicle involved or other applicable sources.

Understanding what coverage may apply can be an important part of evaluating the aftermath of an accident.

If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a suspected DUI crash on Interstate 5, Sweet Lawyers can provide information about personal injury resources and the options that may be available.

We recognize that recovering from a crash can be overwhelming, and we strive to communicate clearly while treating every client with dignity and compassion.

To learn more about Sweet Lawyers and our personal injury services, visit Sweet Lawyers.

If you are recovering from injuries after a Bakersfield-area crash, obtaining appropriate medical care and keeping documentation related to your treatment can help preserve an accurate record of your recovery.