Mojave Rollover Accident Kills 6-Year-Old, Injures 3

SR-14 Rollover Near Phillips Road in Mojave Claims Life of 6-Year-Old, Injures Three Others

What Authorities Have Reported
A tragic single-vehicle crash in Mojave claimed the life of a 6-year-old child on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred at approximately 12:41 p.m. on southbound State Route 14, just north of Phillips Road. Investigators say a 40-year-old woman driving a Chevrolet Tahoe lost control, and the SUV overturned into the center median.

Three children were riding in the vehicle at the time of the crash. During the rollover, the 6-year-old was ejected and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver and two other children, ages 9 and 11, sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials have not yet released details regarding the extent of their injuries.

Traffic logs indicate that the rollover affected northbound lanes as well, prompting lane closures and traffic control while emergency crews responded. The California Department of Transportation assisted with extended closures as investigation and recovery continued. The Kern County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased at a later time. The cause remains under active investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Understanding Single-Vehicle Rollovers
While initial reports classify this as a single-vehicle collision, that label does not necessarily mean only the driver can be responsible. Rollover dynamics are complex and can involve multiple contributing factors, such as:

- Sudden evasive maneuvers to avoid another vehicle entering a lane or cutting off the SUV
- Tire failures, tread separations, or blowouts
- Steering or suspension defects, or loss of electronic stability control
- Soft or uneven median surfaces, inadequate shoulder recovery zones, or drop-offs
- Missing or inadequate guardrails or barriers
- Poor roadway maintenance, debris, or unsafe roadway design
- Weather, visibility, and wind conditions common to the high desert corridor

Thorough investigation typically includes scene measurements, inspection of the vehicle’s restraint systems, event data recorder (EDR) downloads, tire and component inspections, and witness statements. Families should avoid assuming fault based on early reports. Independent investigation can uncover critical details about how and why the rollover occurred.

Passenger Rights and Comparative Negligence in California
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means each party can be assigned a percentage of responsibility, and injured people may still recover compensation even if they share some fault. Importantly, passengers in a vehicle have legal rights to pursue claims for their injuries regardless of who was driving. Claims may be directed to the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, and in some cases, to other responsible parties, including:

- A negligent third-party driver who contributed to a sudden maneuver
- A vehicle manufacturer or component supplier if a defect played a role
- A government entity for unsafe roadway conditions or negligent maintenance (subject to special notice and filing deadlines)

In California, passengers are generally covered under the driver’s liability policy. Though emotionally difficult, families sometimes must pursue claims against a relative or family friend’s insurance to access the coverage needed for medical care, funeral expenses, and long-term support. A knowledgeable attorney can help manage these sensitive situations with care and discretion.

Wrongful Death and Injury Claims After a Rollover
When a child is killed in a collision, California law allows certain surviving family members—typically parents or legal guardians—to pursue a wrongful death claim. Potential damages in a wrongful death case can include:

- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, and support
- The value of financial support and household services the child would have provided in the future

If appropriate, the child’s estate may also bring a separate “survival” action to seek damages the child could have claimed had they survived, such as medical expenses and, in some instances, pain and suffering where permitted by law. The specifics depend on the facts of the case and applicable statutes at the time of filing.

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Single-vehicle rollovers involving SUVs and children often raise complex legal questions about restraint systems, vehicle stability, roadway conditions, and potential defects. As CHP continues investigating the SR-14 rollover near Phillips Road, families may need clarity about wrongful death claims, passenger injury rights, and possible third-party liability.

Avian Law Group has experience handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving children and rollover crashes throughout Kern County and the High Desert region. If your family has been affected by this tragedy, our attorneys can help evaluate all potential causes and pursue full and fair compensation under California law. Contact us for a no-obligation case evaluation.