CHP Investigating Overnight Fatal Motorcycle Crash

CHP Investigating Overnight Fatal Motorcycle Crash

UPDATE: The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 65-year-old Rodney Mark Root, Chief Medical Officer at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. Dignity Health released a statement on his passing:

We are tremendously saddened by the tragic loss of our dear friend and colleague Dr. Rodney Mark Root. He was a beloved member of our Dignity Health family and Mark’s gentle demeanor and friendly spirit will never be forgotten. We will miss him terribly and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

We are grateful for Dr. Root’s nearly 40 years of faithful service to our community and his leadership as Chief Medical Officer at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, a position he held since 2010.

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The California Highway Patrol say speed was a factor in a fatal motorcycle crash that took place on the Westside Parkway overnight involving a 65-year-old man.

The full release is below:

On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at approximately 7:01 am, the Bakersfield Communication Center received a call from the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) advising they were on scene of a major injury crash on eastbound SR-58 (Westside Parkway) west of Coffee Road.

Party #1 was traveling eastbound SR-58 at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate a left hand curve in the roadway. Party #1 proceeded straight through the cure, left the roadway, and down a dirt embankment.  He struck a chain link perimeter fence and was ejected from the motorcycle.  Party #1 received fatal injuries.  When officers arrived on scene, the body and motorcycle were cold to touch.  It is suspected the crash happened sometime during the night.  At this time, there are no witnesses to this incident and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol played a factor.

Anyone with information pertaining to this crash is urged to call the Bakersfield Area CHP at 661-396-6600