Tragic Accident Claims Life
The Kern County Coroner has released the identity of a 66-year-old man who lost his life in a tragic single-vehicle accident that occurred last week north of Tehachapi. The victim has been identified as Patrick Wayne Verhagen, a resident of Tehachapi.
The incident took place on the afternoon of January 13th, on Melsetter Road, approximately 1.2 miles east of Tanganda Road. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) report, Verhagen was driving a 2012 Jeep eastbound on Melsetter Road, east of Tanganda Road, shortly after noon. For reasons that remain unclear, he veered off the road, descended down an embankment, and collided with several trees.
Tragically, Verhagen, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was ejected during the impact and succumbed to his injuries at the scene, as reported by CHP officials.
The exact date and time of the incident have not been determined, and it is still uncertain whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision. The authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Officer B. Carroll of the Mojave CHP Office is leading the investigation and is seeking any potential witnesses or individuals with information related to this collision. If you have information to contribute, you are urged to contact Officer Carroll at 661-823-5500 during normal business hours.
This tragic accident has left the community in shock, and many questions remain unanswered as investigators work diligently to piece together the events leading up to the fatal crash on Melsetter Road.
Contact us here on the WarmuthLaw website or through our hotline 888-517-9888.
