Pedestrian Fatality in Oildale Crash

Eric Raymond Truman, 42, Killed in Pedestrian Crash Near Airport Drive and State Road in Oildale

Overview of the Incident

A tragic pedestrian collision in Oildale claimed the life of Eric Raymond Truman, 42, in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 4, 2025. According to preliminary reports, the collision occurred around 12:30 a.m. near Airport Drive north of State Road, beneath the Golden State Highway overpass. Emergency personnel arrived and provided immediate medical aid, but Mr. Truman succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Investigators indicate the driver was traveling northbound on Airport Drive and struck Mr. Truman after he entered the roadway. The motorist stopped immediately, remained at the scene, and cooperated with officers. Early indications suggest neither drugs nor alcohol were factors. The Bakersfield Police Department continues to examine evidence to determine the full circumstances leading up to the crash. Anyone with firsthand information or dash-camera footage is encouraged to contact investigators to assist with the ongoing investigation.

What Investigators Are Assessing

While initial statements can provide a snapshot of what happened, collision investigations typically take weeks as officials review a wide range of evidence. In a case like this, investigators may consider:

- Visibility and lighting under the highway overpass and whether shadows, glare, or fixture outages affected sightlines.
- The driver’s speed relative to posted limits and road conditions.
- Whether the driver had sufficient time and distance to perceive and react to a pedestrian entering the roadway.
- Road design features, including signage, crosswalk availability, lane markings, and the overall safety of the corridor for people on foot.
- Distraction, fatigue, and driver attention in the seconds leading up to the impact.
- The pedestrian’s path of travel, clothing visibility, and whether any obstructions or environmental factors contributed to the encounter.
- Vehicle lighting and potential equipment issues that could have reduced visibility.
- Digital evidence, including nearby business or traffic cameras and the vehicle’s event data recorder (if available).

Understanding Risk Factors in Nighttime Pedestrian Collisions

Nighttime presents specific hazards for both drivers and pedestrians. Overpasses and underpasses create abrupt light transitions, making it harder for drivers’ eyes to adjust and detect movement at the edge of their headlights. Additional factors that often amplify risk include:

- Reduced contrast: Dark clothing against shaded roadway surfaces makes detection more difficult.
- Limited reaction time: At 40–45 mph, a vehicle can travel the length of a crosswalk in a single second.
- Visual clutter: Multiple signs, pillars, and shadows under an overpass can obscure pedestrians until the final moments.
- Road design: Long gaps between controlled crossings can lead pedestrians to cross mid-block, particularly late at night when traffic seems light.

California Law: Duties of Drivers and Pedestrians

California law imposes responsibilities on both drivers and pedestrians. Drivers must use due care to avoid collisions and yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Pedestrians, in turn, must not suddenly step into the path of a vehicle that is close enough to be an immediate hazard. Importantly, even when a pedestrian enters the roadway outside a crosswalk, drivers must still exercise caution, maintain a safe speed, and keep a proper lookout.

It’s not uncommon for early reports to focus on a pedestrian’s movements. However, fault in California is determined by a careful review of all circumstances. Speed, lighting, sightlines, driver attentiveness, roadway design, and other safety factors can all influence liability. Under California’s pure comparative negligence rules, responsibility can be apportioned among multiple parties based on their respective contributions to the crash.

Wrongful Death Claims and Survival Actions

Families who lose a loved one in a traffic collision may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim. Potential compensation can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support the decedent would have provided, and loss of companionship and guidance. Eligible claimants typically include the decedent’s spouse or domestic partner, children, and sometimes other dependants.

At Avian Law Group, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic pedestrian collision. No one should lose their life due to preventable negligence on our roads. Our firm remains steadfast in seeking justice for victims and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable under the law.

Through a comprehensive investigation of the facts — including driver behavior, roadway conditions, and all contributing factors — we will pursue every legal avenue to uncover the truth and secure the compensation and accountability this family deserves.

While no amount of legal action can undo the loss suffered, our mission is to bring a measure of justice, financial relief, and closure to those enduring unimaginable grief. Avian Law Group stands beside this family and all victims of pedestrian crashes as advocates for safer streets and stronger protections for our community.