Tragic Accident in Santa Maria Claims Lives of Mr. and Mrs. Kern

On August 1, 2024, Santa Maria was shaken by a tragic accident at the intersection of Stowell and Bradley Road, resulting in the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Kern. The collision, which occurred around 9:15 a.m., involved a 2-vehicle crash between a 20-year-old female driver and a 68-year-old male driver, along with his 55-year-old wife, both of whom were Santa Maria residents.

The Santa Maria Police and Fire Departments were quick to respond to the scene. Witnesses and evidence revealed that the young female driver, heading eastbound on Stowell Road, ran a red light and struck the passenger side of the vehicle driven by the 68-year-old man, who was traveling southbound on Bradley Road with a green light. The impact was devastating, leading to the immediate concern for the occupants of the SUV.

Emergency medical personnel from AMR and the Fire Department rendered aid to the couple in the SUV. Despite their rapid response and efforts, both Mr. and Mrs. Kern succumbed to their injuries and were later pronounced dead at Marian Medical Center. The loss has been deeply felt within the Santa Maria community, as the couple was well-known and respected.

The young female driver, who survived the crash, remained on the scene and cooperated fully with the authorities. As of now, it remains unclear whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the accident. The incident is under thorough investigation by the Santa Maria Police Department.

An official update from the SMPD on August 2, 2024, reiterated the sequence of events and the current status of the investigation. They have urged anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Officer D. Rhoads at 805-928-3781 x 1355.

The crash has sparked discussions about road safety and the importance of adhering to traffic signals, as the intersection of Stowell and Bradley Road has now become a focal point for community concerns. The SMPD has temporarily closed roads around the crash site to facilitate the ongoing investigation and cleanup operations, which are expected to take several more hours.

This accident serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of vigilant driving. The Santa Maria community mourns the loss of Mr. and Mrs. Kern, and their memory will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on those who knew them.

As the investigation continues, authorities hope to piece together all contributing factors of the incident to prevent such tragedies in the future. In the meantime, the community is encouraged to support the grieving family and friends of the Kerns and to remain cautious and respectful on the roads.

For further updates on this case and other community news, the public is advised to stay tuned to official Santa Maria Police Department releases and local news outlets.

By | August 2, 2024
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“Victims Identified: Mr. and Mrs. Kern in Santa Maria Double Fatal Collision – edhat”.

Hey folks, there’s some heavy news coming out of Santa Maria. On Thursday, August 1st, 2024, around 9:15 AM, there was a devastating two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Stowell and Bradley Road. The Santa Maria Police and Fire Departments rushed to the scene after receiving a call that one of the female occupants had no pulse.

So, here’s what went down: Driver 1, a 20-year-old woman, was cruising eastbound on Stowell Road. Unfortunately, she ran a red light and slammed into Vehicle 2, which was heading southbound on Bradley Road with a green light. The impact was brutal, hitting the passenger side of Vehicle 2. The occupants of Vehicle 2, a 68-year-old man and his 55-year-old wife (Mr. and Mrs. Kern), were severely injured and tragically passed away despite receiving immediate medical attention and being transported to Marian Medical Center.

The young woman from Vehicle 1 stayed at the scene and cooperated fully with the police. Right now, it’s unclear if alcohol or drugs were involved, but the investigation is still ongoing. If you have any info about this incident, the Santa Maria Police Department is asking you to reach out to Officer D. Rhoads at 805-928-3781 x 1355.

Overall, it’s a sad day for the community, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected by this crash. Stay safe out there, everyone.

Victims Identified in Double Fatal Vehicle Collision in Santa Maria – edhat

Update by the Santa Maria Police Department
August 2, 2024

On Thursday, August 1st, 2024, at approximately 9:15 A.M., Santa Maria Police & Fire Departments responded to a 2-vehicle crash at Stowell and Bradley Rd.  A caller on scene told dispatch that one of the female occupants had no pulse.

Driver 1, a female 20-year-old Santa Maria resident was driving eastbound on Stowell Rd. She was the only occupant in vehicle 1.   Driver 2, a male 68-year-old Santa Maria resident was driving southbound on Bradley Rd.  His female wife, 55-year-old Santa Maria resident was seated in the passenger seat.

Based on witness statements and evidence from the scene, it appears Driver 1 was eastbound on Stowell road when she ran the red light. Vehicle 2 was southbound on Bradley Road with a green light when vehicle 1 struck the passenger side of vehicle 2, causing the collision.

AMR and Fire personnel provided medical aid to the driver and passenger of vehicle 2 and they were transported to Marian Medical Center but they both succumbed to their injuries due to the collision.  They were later identified as Mr. and Mrs. Kern.

Driver 1 was cooperative, remained on scene and provided officers with a statement.  At this time, it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision.  This incident is still under investigation.

Anyone with information on the collision is encouraged to call Officer D. Rhoads at 805-928-3781 x 1355.

Originally reported by the edhat staff
August 1, 2024

A tragic accident occurred on Thursday morning at the intersection of Bradley and Stowell in Santa Maria, resulting in two fatalities and leaving one person hospitalized.

According to the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD), the incident involved a collision between an SUV and another car at approximately 9:15 a.m.

The two deceased victims, a male and a female, were occupants of the SUV, which was traveling southbound on Bradley at the time of the incident. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the other car, a woman heading eastbound on Stowell, survived the crash and was transported to Marian Regional Medical Center with injuries. Authorities noted that she cooperated with first responders upon their arrival.

As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, police have indicated that there are currently no signs of alcohol or drug involvement. Meanwhile, road closures around the crash site are expected to last for several more hours as the investigation unfolds and cleanup operations take place.

The SMPD is handling the ongoing investigation and urges anyone with information about the crash to come forward.

What Happened on August 1st, 2024?

On the morning of August 1st, 2024, at around 9:15 A.M., a tragic accident occurred at the intersection of Stowell and Bradley Roads in Santa Maria. According to the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD), both the police and fire departments responded swiftly to the scene. A 20-year-old female driving eastbound on Stowell Road ran a red light and collided with an SUV traveling southbound on Bradley Road. The SUV had a 68-year-old male driver and his 55-year-old wife in the passenger seat. Sadly, the accident led to the deaths of both the driver and the passenger of the SUV.

How Did the Accident Unfold?

Based on witness statements and evidence, the female driver ran the red light on Stowell Road, crashing into the passenger side of the SUV, which had the right of way with a green light. The collision was severe enough that emergency responders found one of the female occupants without a pulse upon arrival. Despite the efforts of AMR and fire personnel, both occupants of the SUV, later identified as Mr. and Mrs. Kern, succumbed to their injuries after being transported to Marian Medical Center.

Was There Any Suspicion of Alcohol or Drugs?

As of now, it remains unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the tragic accident. The female driver of the car that ran the red light cooperated fully with the police at the scene. She provided a statement and stayed on location until emergency services had everything under control. The SMPD is still investigating the incident to determine all the factors that led to this heartbreaking event.

What is the Current Status of the Investigation?

The investigation into the accident is ongoing. The police have not released any further details regarding possible charges or citations. Road closures around the crash site lasted for several hours to facilitate the investigation and cleanup. The SMPD is urging anyone with additional information about the crash to come forward and contact Officer D. Rhoads at 805-928-3781 x 1355. For further updates, you can visit the SMPD’s news section.

How Did the Community React?

The local community has been deeply affected by the tragic loss of Mr. and Mrs. Kern. Neighbors and friends of the Kerns have been sharing their condolences and memories of the couple on social media platforms and local news websites. The accident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety and the devastating consequences that can arise from seemingly small mistakes, such as running a red light.

What Can We Learn From This Incident?

Incidents like this underscore the importance of adhering to traffic signals and remaining vigilant while driving. The SMPD often emphasizes road safety and has various programs aimed at educating drivers about the dangers of reckless driving. For more information about these programs, you can visit their official safety programs page. While it’s still too early to draw conclusions about the specific causes of this accident, it highlights the need for continuous community education and awareness to prevent such tragedies in the future.

How Can You Help?

If you have any information that could assist in the ongoing investigation, please do not hesitate to contact Officer D. Rhoads. Your input could be invaluable in bringing clarity to this tragic event and possibly preventing future accidents. Additionally, spreading awareness about the importance of road safety can contribute to a safer community for everyone.

The collision at Stowell and Bradley Roads is a stark reminder of how quickly life can change and the importance of driving responsibly. As the investigation continues, the Santa Maria community is left to mourn the loss of two of its residents and reflect on the critical importance of road safety.