Fatal I-5 Crash Near Highway 43 Leaves One Dead

Updated: CaliforniaToday Kern County

A driver was killed early Thursday morning after his vehicle veered off Interstate 5, became airborne after striking a concrete barrier, crashed into another wall, and caught fire. The California Highway Patrol reported that on June 25, 2026, at approximately 5:05 a.m., officers responded to a solo-vehicle crash on Interstate 5, north of Highway 43.

According to the CHP's preliminary investigation, the driver, identified as a male, was operating a 2024 Subaru Impreza northbound on I-5 at an unknown speed. For reasons still under investigation, the driver veered into the dirt center median and struck a raised concrete barrier, causing the vehicle to become airborne.

The vehicle launched 150 feet, struck another concrete wall, and subsequently caught fire. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The CHP has not yet determined if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. The incident remains under investigation, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Source: kmph.com

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    The names of the eight deceased were released by the base following the crash. In the aftermath, the remains of all victims were airlifted on June 19 to the Charles C.

    Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. There, they will undergo respectful identification confirmation and preparation for return to their families.

    The airfield at Edwards AFB has since resumed normal flying operations.

    The B-52, a long-range strategic bomber, has been a cornerstone of U.S. Air Force operations for decades.

    The crash has prompted an investigation into the cause, though details have not yet been disclosed. The memorial service aims to provide closure and community support for those affected by this devastating loss.

    Source: bakersfieldnow.com

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  • Updated: CaliforniaToday Kern County
    Conservation Group Seeks Emergency Injunction to Halt Mining at Mojave National PreserveConservation Group Seeks Emergency Injunction to Halt Mining at Mojave National Preserve

    The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to immediately stop unlawful mining activities at the Colosseum Mine within Mojave National Preserve. The mining operation, which ended in 1993, was in the final stages of reclamation by the National Park Service when the Trump administration approved new mining in April 2025.

    Recent grading, bulldozing, and road construction have caused documented, irreparable damage to the fragile desert landscape and restricted public access to the preserve. The NPCA, represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit in April challenging the administration's decision, alleging violations of federal laws protecting national parks from harmful mining impacts.

    The injunction request urges the court to protect this environment, which Congress designated for perpetual preservation under the 1994 California Desert Protection Act. Chance Wilcox, NPCA's California Desert Program Manager, described the situation as gut-wrenching, noting that parts of the Clark Mountains are being stripped bare.

    Katrina Tomas, an Earthjustice attorney, emphasized that bulldozing and mining will irreversibly harm one of America's most treasured public places and that the Colosseum Mine is proceeding in violation of national environmental laws. The NPCA is seeking immediate court action to halt the destruction before it is too late.

    Source: goldrushcam.com

  • Updated: CaliforniaToday Kern County
    Conservation Group Seeks Emergency Halt to Mining at Mojave National PreserveConservation Group Seeks Emergency Halt to Mining at Mojave National Preserve

    The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) filed a motion Tuesday for a preliminary injunction to immediately stop mining operations at the Colosseum Mine within Mojave National Preserve, a unit of the National Park System located near Amboy in Kern County, California.

    Mining at the Colosseum Mine ended in 1993, and the National Park Service was in the final stages of reclaiming the site for public use. However, in April 2025, the Trump administration reversed course and approved new mining at the location.

    Recent activity including grading, bulldozing, and road construction has caused documented, irreparable damage to the fragile desert landscape and has restricted public access to the preserve.

    The NPCA, represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit in April 2025 challenging the administration's decision to allow operations to resume, alleging violations of multiple federal laws that protect national parks from harmful mining impacts. The motion for an injunction asks the court to intervene to protect this desert environment, which Congress designated for perpetual preservation under the 1994 California Desert Protection Act.

    “What’s happening right now at Mojave National Preserve is gut-wrenching,” said Chance Wilcox, NPCA’s California Desert Program Manager. “To see parts of this landscape, in the heart of the Clark Mountains, being stripped bare and graded down to dirt is hard to put into words.

    We can’t sit by and allow irreparable damage to change this place that was promised to future generations, and that’s why we’re urging the court to step in to protect the park now.”

    Earthjustice Attorney Katrina Tomas added, “Bulldozing, road construction, and mining within the Mojave National Preserve will irreversibly harm the desert landscape in one of our most treasured public places. The Colosseum Mine is proceeding with operations despite being in violation of national environmental laws.

    We’re seeking a preliminary injunction to halt this destruction before it’s too late.”

    The Colosseum Mine is located in the Clark Mountains within Mojave National Preserve. The NPCA's legal action seeks to prevent further environmental harm while the underlying lawsuit proceeds.

    Source: goldrushcam.com

  • Updated: CaliforniaToday Kern County
    NPCA Seeks Court Order to Stop Mining at Mojave National PreserveNPCA Seeks Court Order to Stop Mining at Mojave National Preserve

    The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to immediately halt unlawful mining operations at the Colosseum Mine within Mojave National Preserve, a unit of the National Park System. The filing, made on June 24, 2026, in Los Angeles, seeks to stop further damage to the fragile desert landscape in the Clark Mountains near Amboy, California, in Kern County.

    Mining at Colosseum ceased in 1993, and the National Park Service was in the final stages of reclaiming the site and returning it to public use. However, in April 2025, the Trump administration reversed course and approved new mining activity.

    Recent grading, bulldozing, and road development have caused documented, irreparable harm to the desert environment and have limited public access to the preserve.

    The NPCA, represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit in April 2025 challenging the administration's decision, alleging violations of multiple federal laws designed to protect national parks from harmful mining impacts. Through the request for an injunction, the NPCA is asking the court to intervene to protect the area that Congress designated for perpetual preservation under the 1994 California Desert Protection Act.

    Chance Wilcox, NPCA's California Desert Program Manager, expressed deep concern, stating that witnessing parts of the landscape being stripped bare and graded down to dirt is gut-wrenching. He emphasized that the organization cannot allow irreparable damage to alter a place promised to future generations and is urging the court to step in immediately.

    Katrina Tomas, an Earthjustice attorney, added that bulldozing, road construction, and mining within the preserve will irreversibly harm the desert landscape in one of the nation's most treasured public places. She noted that the Colosseum Mine is proceeding with operations despite violating national environmental laws and stressed the need for a preliminary injunction to halt the destruction before it is too late.

    Source: goldrushcam.com

  • Updated: CaliforniaToday Kern County
    NPCA Seeks Injunction to Halt Mining at Mojave National PreserveNPCA Seeks Injunction to Halt Mining at Mojave National Preserve

    The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, June 24, 2026, in an urgent effort to stop unlawful mining operations at the Colosseum Mine within Mojave National Preserve. The preserve, located near Amboy in Kern County, California, is a unit of the National Park System.

    Mining at the Colosseum site ceased in 1993, and the National Park Service was nearing completion of reclamation work to restore the area for public use. However, in a significant policy reversal, the Trump administration approved new mining activities at the site in April 2025.

    Recent grading, bulldozing, and road construction have caused documented, irreparable damage to the fragile desert landscape and have restricted public access to the preserve. The NPCA, represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit in April challenging the administration's decision, alleging violations of multiple federal laws designed to protect national parks from harmful mining impacts.

    The motion for an injunction asks the court to intervene immediately to protect this desert environment, which Congress designated for permanent preservation under the 1994 California Desert Protection Act. Chance Wilcox, NPCA's California Desert Program Manager, described the situation as "gut-wrenching," noting that parts of the Clark Mountains are being stripped bare and graded down to dirt.

    Katrina Tomas, an Earthjustice attorney, emphasized that bulldozing, road construction, and mining will irreversibly harm the desert landscape in one of America's most treasured public places, and that operations are proceeding despite violating national environmental laws. The court's decision on the injunction is pending.

    Source: goldrushcam.com

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