The CHP believes speed was a factor in a crash on the 99 Freeway in north Bakersfield that killed the driver of a Tacoma truck. Officer Robert Rodriguez says the 47-year-old man, who’s since been identified as Robert Espinoza from Delano, suddenly veered into the slow lane around 5:45 Thursday morning near 7th Standard Road, and his pickup was nearly completely lodged under a semi-trailer. Traffic was backed up for miles during the three or so hours it took to clear the scene.

Suzanne Grant