58 Freeway Closed Eastbound at Cottonwood

California Highway Patrol was dispatched out to Eastbound Highway 58 just west of Cottonwood around 12:15 this afternoon.

UPDATE: Statement from Bakersfield Police:

On Friday, August 30, 2019, at about 10:48 AM officers from the California Highway
Patrol were dispatched to Highway 58, between Union Avenue and Cottonwood Road,
regarding a man walking in the lanes of travel on the freeway. Upon arrival, the subject
became combative and resisted the CHP officers. The subject (a 39 year old male)
was taken into custody and a short time later he stopped breathing. Medical aid was
immediately sought and the subject was transported to the hospital where he is
currently in critical condition.

The Bakersfield Police Department was contacted by the California Highway Patrol to
assist with the investigation. The eastbound lanes of Highway 58 will be shut down
while the scene is being investigated. The investigation is ongoing.

 

They received a report of a pedestrian walking on the freeway. An officer tried to assess the issue and became involved in a situation. The pedestrian is now at Kern Medical. CHP and Bakersfield Police are on scene investigating. It is unknown exactly how long the highway will be closed, but BPD says it will be a couple of hours at least.