A deep and ongoing tragedy has unfolded in Bakersfield, California, following the hit-and-run death of 65-year-old Mariana Cervantes Flores. On the morning of August 3, Mariana was struck by a white pickup truck near Mount Vernon Avenue and Oregon Street. In a horrific act of negligence, the driver fled the scene, leaving Mariana to die alone on the road. Her passing, marked by a shocking abandonment, has been compounded by an even more heartbreaking issue: her next of kin have not yet been located, leaving the family unaware of her fate and her passing unacknowledged for months.
A Call for Justice: Locating the Driver and the White Pickup
SUPPORT THE FAMILY - GOD BLESS YOU
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) continues to investigate the incident, but the identity of the driver responsible remains unknown. Authorities are searching for the driver of the white pickup truck, whose actions not only caused Mariana’s tragic death but also left a community in search of justice. The driver’s choice to flee the scene has deprived the family of closure and kept the community from holding the individual accountable for their actions.
The Kern County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has been forced to issue a public appeal for help in locating Mariana’s next of kin. It has been months since her death, and authorities have been unable to make the necessary family connection. In the absence of this crucial link, Mariana Flores remains unburied, and her loved ones are left without knowledge of her fate. The community is urged to come forward with any information—whether it’s a tip about the vehicle, a person with unexplained damage to their truck, or a vague recollection of the incident. The silence surrounding the driver must be broken to bring justice and allow the proper mourning process to begin.
A Family’s Agonizing Wait: The Double Tragedy of Mariana’s Passing
Mariana’s death is marked by two devastating tragedies. The first is the violent and senseless manner of her death, and the second is the prolonged agony faced by her family, who remains unaware of her passing. The ongoing public appeal highlights the emotional isolation of this loss, with the family left without the ability to mourn or lay their loved one to rest. Mariana, at 65 years old, surely belonged to a network of friends and family who cared for her, but until they are identified, the closure they need cannot begin.
As the CHP works to identify and apprehend the responsible driver, the public is urged to focus on helping the Coroner’s Office locate Mariana’s family. The final step of respect—allowing her loved ones to mourn, bury her, and seek peace—cannot happen until the authorities are able to connect her to the people she cherished.
The Bakersfield community must come together to help provide justice for Mariana Cervantes Flores and closure for her unknown family.