BAKERSFIELD, CA - The California Highway Patrol is investigating a crash involving a Kern County Sheriff's deputy, that killed a Bakersfield woman early Sunday morning. A CHP spokesperson says the deputy, 26-year-old Nicholas Clerico, was responding to a call when he crashed into 72-year-old Nancy Joyce Garrett at the intersection of North Chester Avenue and China Grade Loop.
CHP officials say according to witnesses, the deputy did have his lights and siren on at the time of the crash. Still, investigators are looking into who had a green light and how fast both drivers were going.
CHP officer Robert Rodriguez said, "Right now, our main concern is gathering all the evidence, enough information, enough just so that we can find out exactly what transpired that evening. Once we've gathered all that information if we have determined at that point there is negligence on the part of the deputy then we'll peruse a different route once we have all that data."
A sheriff's department spokesperson says Deputy Clerico has been with the department for three and a half years. He was treated for for a concussion and head injuries.
CHP officials say Garrett was wearing her seatbelt, but Clerico was not.
Monday afternoon, officers continued to gather evidence. CHP officials say the patrol car did not have a camera inside, but they will be getting information from the car's computer.
As the investigation continues, Garrett's family is mourning her loss.
She spent Saturday evening enjoying a baseball game with loved ones. Garrett posted pictures on Facebook -- of her family and the giant Dodger Dog she was enjoying on her way home -- she was killed in a car crash.
Her son Mark McGowan said, "We split up our stuff and she took her swag bag and left and that was the last time I saw her. I said I love you, I'll see you later."
McGowan didn't want to be on camera, but we spoke with him on the phone about his last day with his mom and the time they spent together at the baseball game.
"I'm glad that we did. She's been looking forward to having a Dodger Dog. I was telling the family at least her last meal was something she really looked forward to."
McGowan says Garrett was the center of their family.
McGowan said, "She was always smiling and she was the caregiver, the care taker. She took care of everybody. She was the glue. She really was and we all are concerned about who's going to hold everything together. All the big events that always happen with the family always happen at her house."
CHP officials say according to witnesses, the deputy did have his lights and siren on at the time of the crash. Still, investigators are looking into who had a green light and how fast both drivers were going.
CHP officer Robert Rodriguez said, "Right now, our main concern is gathering all the evidence, enough information, enough just so that we can find out exactly what transpired that evening. Once we've gathered all that information if we have determined at that point there is negligence on the part of the deputy then we'll peruse a different route once we have all that data."
A sheriff's department spokesperson says Deputy Clerico has been with the department for three and a half years. He was treated for for a concussion and head injuries.
CHP officials say Garrett was wearing her seatbelt, but Clerico was not.
Monday afternoon, officers continued to gather evidence. CHP officials say the patrol car did not have a camera inside, but they will be getting information from the car's computer.
As the investigation continues, Garrett's family is mourning her loss.
She spent Saturday evening enjoying a baseball game with loved ones. Garrett posted pictures on Facebook -- of her family and the giant Dodger Dog she was enjoying on her way home -- she was killed in a car crash.
Her son Mark McGowan said, "We split up our stuff and she took her swag bag and left and that was the last time I saw her. I said I love you, I'll see you later."
McGowan didn't want to be on camera, but we spoke with him on the phone about his last day with his mom and the time they spent together at the baseball game.
"I'm glad that we did. She's been looking forward to having a Dodger Dog. I was telling the family at least her last meal was something she really looked forward to."
McGowan says Garrett was the center of their family.
McGowan said, "She was always smiling and she was the caregiver, the care taker. She took care of everybody. She was the glue. She really was and we all are concerned about who's going to hold everything together. All the big events that always happen with the family always happen at her house."
