Bakersfield to Pay Record $22M Settlement After Fatal Police Crash

The city agreed to the payout after an officer killed a driver and severely injured a passenger in a high-speed collision.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 11:10pm

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The city of Bakersfield, California has agreed to pay a record $22 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit over a 2023 incident where a police officer killed a driver and severely injured a passenger in a high-speed crash. The officer, Ricardo Robles, ran a stop sign at 80 mph without activating his sirens, leading to the fatal collision.

Why it matters

This settlement highlights the growing scrutiny and accountability placed on police departments for officer misconduct and violations of safety protocols. The large payout reflects the severity of the incident and the city's acknowledgment of the need for better training and oversight of its police force.

The details

According to the lawsuit, in January 2023, then-Bakersfield Police Officer Ricardo Robles ran a stop sign at 80 mph without activating his sirens, leading to a collision that killed 30-year-old Mario Lares and severely injured passenger Ana Hernandez. Hernandez suffered head trauma, emotional distress, and ongoing medical expenses from the crash. Robles pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter in 2024 and was sentenced to just one day in jail, two years of probation, and community service, which the victims' attorney criticized as an unjust punishment.

  • The fatal crash occurred in January 2023.
  • Robles pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter in the fall of 2024.
  • Bakersfield agreed to the $22 million settlement on February 26, 2026.

The players

Ricardo Robles

A former Bakersfield Police Department officer who killed Mario Lares and severely injured Ana Hernandez in a high-speed crash in 2023. Robles pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter and lost his job and police certification.

Mario Lares

A 30-year-old driver who was killed when Robles' police vehicle slammed into his car at an intersection.

Ana Hernandez

A passenger in Lares' vehicle who suffered head trauma, emotional distress, and ongoing medical expenses from the crash.

Daniel Rodriguez

The attorney who represented Hernandez and the Lares family in the $22 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Bakersfield.

Chantal Trujillo

The attorney for Ana Hernandez who described the extent of her injuries from the crash in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“If it would have been one of us, or any member of the public that would have run through a stop sign at 80, 90 miles an hour, whatever it was, and killed a police officer, I don't think anyone ever could be out of custody.”

— Daniel Rodriguez, Attorney for Hernandez and Lares family

“The force of the impact caused the Honda to be pushed off the road and onto a dirt shoulder before ending up on its side.”

— Daniel Rodriguez, Attorney for Hernandez and Lares family

“Hernandez's injuries resulted in a screw in her lower back that required physical therapy. She had a huge bump in her leg caused by the crash that 'will never go away' and 'nobody knows how to fix'.”

— Chantal Trujillo, Attorney for Ana Hernandez

What’s next

The city of Bakersfield has agreed to the $22 million settlement, but it remains to be seen if any further policy changes or reforms will be implemented within the police department to prevent similar high-speed incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This record-setting settlement underscores the severe consequences that can result from police misconduct and the failure to follow safety protocols. It serves as a stark reminder that law enforcement agencies must be held accountable for their actions and prioritize public safety above all else.