Kaitlyn Rose Sawyer Obituary, Death – On January 4, 2025, the discovery of a fatal crash along Highway 178 was triggered by a cell phone. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a call came in at around 9:50 p.m. reporting the location of a missing person’s phone. The cell phone was pinged, leading officers to respond to the scene, which was located near mile post marker 36 along Highway 178.
Upon arriving, CHP and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office discovered a 1999 Ford Ranger down a canyon with significant roll damage. After conducting an investigation, authorities identified the driver of the vehicle as 24-year-old Kaitlyn Rose Sawyer. It was determined that Sawyer had been traveling eastbound on Highway 178 when her vehicle veered off the road for reasons that remain unclear. The vehicle then plunged down into the canyon. Sadly, Sawyer was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash caused significant disruption, and traffic was affected for approximately six hours while authorities investigated and cleared the area. At this time, the CHP has not determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, and the investigation is ongoing.