Kern County has reached a $3.8 million settlement with the family of a motorcycle rider who was killed in a crash with a Sheriff’s patrol car in Oildale.

County Counsel Mark Nations says they agreed to it because it’s the right thing to do and it keeps us out of a long and possibly more expensive trial.

Sgt. Marvin Gomez had his lights and sirens on when he hit Larry Maharrey while making a left hand turn at a red light on Norris Road and Airport Drive in 2015. Gomez was responding to a domestic violence call. A CHP report says other cars were blocking both men’s views.

Kelli Pierce