Susan Lorraine Insch Obituary, Death; – The Kern County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the woman who lost her life in a collision on Highway 33 in September as 70-year-old Susan Lorraine Insch, a resident of Lompoc.
According to the California Highway Patrol, officers responded to reports of a two-vehicle accident on Highway 33 near Soda Lake Road on September 23, 2024, at approximately 3:40 p.m.
Investigations revealed that a 24-year-old man from Bakersfield was operating a semi-trailer traveling southbound on Highway 33. For reasons that remain under investigation, the driver of the tractor-trailer veered into the northbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a Toyota Tundra.
Insch was seated in the front passenger position and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 72-year-old driver of the Toyota truck sustained serious injuries and was subsequently airlifted to Kern Medical, with his current condition remaining unknown. The driver of the tractor-trailer incurred minor injuries and received treatment at the scene.
Preliminary assessments by the CHP indicate that drugs and/or alcohol do not seem to have contributed to the incident. Witnesses with any relevant information are encouraged to contact the Buttonwillow Area CHP at (661) 764-5580.
