VEHICLE COLLISION: Head-on Collision Ends in Multiple Injuries for Three People

November 18, 2010

Kern County – A head-on collision in Lake of the Woods Thursday afternoon resulted in injuries to three people and blocked commuter traffic for miles, authorities said.

The crash occurred on Frazier Mountain Park Road between Midway Market and Lakewood Drive around 3 pm. California Highway Patrol reported that the vehicles involved were a white Mazda Protégé and a black Toyota Rav4.

Witnesses to the accident gave conflicting accounts. One statement said that the Mazda was traveling west when it swerved into the path of the Toyota that was traveling east. Another witness who was driving behind one of the vehicles stated that it was the Toyota that swerved into the path of the Mazda.

The Kern County Fire Department, three CHP units, three ambulances, and two helicopters were dispatched on the scene. Jaws of Life was used to extract the driver of the Toyota out of the SUV.

The driver of the Mazda was later identified as Taylor Bedard who sustained a broken femur, black eyes, and head injuries, but is believed to be conscious.

Meanwhile, the Toyota was occupied by Gladys Geraldino and her fiancé, George Leverich. Geraldino, who was driving the vehicle when the accident happened, was flown to Kern Medical Center after suffering leg fractures and broken ribs. Leverich was taken to Henry Mayo Hospital due to internal injuries.