Police believe drugs may have played a role in a fatal crash that shut down a major intersection in central Bakersfield for several hours. Sergeant Bill Ware says it began around 4a.m. Monday when the suspect stole a pickup from a construction site on Monterey Street and Union Avenue, then led officers on a high speed chase.BPD called off the chase when speeds became too dangerous.

The suspect then ran a red light at Golden State Avenue and Q Street and broadsided a semi. The pickup driver died at the scene while the semi driver was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Kelli Forsch