City officials in Bakersfield approved a record $22 million settlement after an on-duty police officer caused a fatal 2023 crash. Officer Ricardo Robles drove through a stop sign at more than 80 mph without activating his sirens, killing Mario Lares and seriously injuring Ana Hernandez. Robles pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter in 2024 and was sentenced to one day in jail, two years’ probation, community service and restitution.
Record $22M Settlement Approved After On-Duty Officer’s Deadly Crash in Bakersfield
Brickbat: Without Warning
City officials in Bakersfield, California, approved a record $22 million settlement after a 2023 crash caused by an on-duty police officer left one person dead and another seriously injured.
What happened: Officer Ricardo Robles drove at least 80 miles per hour through a stop sign without activating his sirens and collided with another vehicle. The crash killed the driver, Mario Lares, and seriously injured passenger Ana Hernandez.
Legal action and outcome: Lares’s family and Hernandez sued the City of Bakersfield, alleging the officer violated safety procedures while performing his duties. In 2024, Robles pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter. The court sentenced him to one day in jail, two years of probation, community service and restitution.
Settlement: The city’s $22 million agreement resolves the civil claims and is the largest settlement Bakersfield has approved in such a case. City officials said the payment would address the losses of the victims’ families and the injured passenger.
This case has raised questions about police driving policies, accountability and the adequacy of criminal penalties when on-duty actions cause loss of life. The settlement closes the civil matter, while the criminal sentence and the plea remain part of the public record.
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