Zacarias Ecahua Chipahua Obituary, Death; – The Kern County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the identity of a man who passed away following a hit-and-run incident at the intersection of South H Street and Houghton Road as 26-year-old Zacarias Ecahua Chipahua from Lamont.
The California Highway Patrol reported on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at approximately 5:18 a.m., that officers were dispatched to South H Street and Houghton Road in response to a two-vehicle collision.
According to the CHP, traffic at this intersection is controlled by posted stop signs to ensure the safety of motorists. A preliminary investigation revealed that a 33-year-old man was operating a 2011 Chevrolet Impala traveling westbound on Houghton Road, just east of South H Street. The Impala came to a complete stop at the intersection of Houghton Road and South H Street.
Subsequently, the Impala initiated a southbound turn onto South H Street from westbound Houghton Road. Concurrently, a white 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by an unidentified male, was heading eastbound on Houghton Road, slightly west of South H Street. The driver of the Silverado neglected to stop at the posted stop sign and proceeded eastbound at an undetermined speed, as per the CHP.
The CHP stated that the front of the Silverado collided with the right side of the Impala. The 33-year-old driver of the Impala incurred minor injuries due to the collision. A 45-year-old passenger in the Impala sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Kern Medical.
Chipahua, who was seated in the front right passenger seat of the Impala, was declared dead at the scene. The unidentified male driver of the Silverado fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction and remains at large.
The CHP indicated that it is currently unclear whether alcohol and/or drugs played a role in this incident. The CHP is urging anyone with information or who may have witnessed this event to reach out to the Bakersfield Area CHP office at (661) 396-6600.
