Fatal traffic collision

At approximately 4 p.m. on Oct. 24, officers from the Tehachapi Police Department were dispatched to a call of a traffic collision in the 500 Block of Tucker Road. Officers arrived at the location and discovered a male juvenile bicyclist had been struck by a pickup truck which was exiting a parking lot onto northbound Tucker Road. The juvenile suffered significant trauma and was transported to Tehachapi Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The investigation indicates the juvenile bicyclist was riding southbound on the east sidewalk when he rode into the path of the pickup truck exiting the driveway. The bicyclist was not seen by the driver of the truck. There was no evidence of the driver being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. The identity of the deceased juvenile is being withheld pending the appropriate notification to the next of kin.

The investigation is ongoing, and we request that anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to contact Senior Police Officer Packebush at the Tehachapi Police Department at (661) 822-2222.

[Editor's note: As we go to press the victim's name has been released. 14-year-old Kaedin Marsalis Duncan Averrios Smith passed away on Oct. 24. See article at https://www.theloopnewspaper.com/story/2022/10/29/happenings/red-house-bbq-hosts-fundraiser-for-local-boys-funeral-expenses/10116.html for information on fundraisers to help his family.]