Anthony Gregory Martinez Obituary, Death – A 34-year-old Bakersfield man who died after being struck by vehicles while walking along East California Avenue has been identified by the Kern County Coroner’s Office. The victim, Anthony Gregory Martinez, was killed in a suspected drunk driving incident that occurred on the evening of May 9.
According to the coroner’s report, Martinez had been walking in the 700 block of East California Avenue, just east of Baker Street, when the collision happened at approximately 8:53 p.m. Authorities say Martinez was hit by two vehicles while attempting to cross the street. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and quickly transported him to Kern Medical for treatment. However, despite medical efforts, Martinez succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 9:27 p.m. that evening.
The Bakersfield Police Department previously identified the driver of the first vehicle involved in the collision as 30-year-old Timothy Suniga. Officers arriving at the scene conducted an investigation and determined that Suniga had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. As a result, Suniga was arrested at the scene on suspicion of DUI.
The circumstances surrounding the second vehicle that also struck Martinez have not yet been detailed publicly, and it is unclear whether that driver remained at the scene or played any role in the events that followed. The crash is still under investigation as officials work to piece together the full sequence of events that led to the tragic loss of life.
The fatal incident has reignited ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety and impaired driving in Bakersfield, particularly along East California Avenue, a roadway that has seen its share of traffic-related fatalities over the years. Advocates for safer streets have frequently pointed to the need for improved lighting, better pedestrian crosswalks, and stronger enforcement of DUI laws in areas where both foot and vehicle traffic are heavy.
Martinez’s death marks another somber entry in the region’s growing number of DUI-related fatalities, a trend that local officials and community leaders continue to fight through public awareness campaigns and increased police presence on the roads. The Bakersfield Police Department has not issued further statements about Suniga’s charges or whether additional charges may be brought as the investigation progresses.
Family members and friends of Martinez have not yet spoken publicly, but the news of his death has already prompted an outpouring of grief and calls for justice on social media. Loved ones are remembering him as a kind-hearted individual whose life was cut short by a preventable tragedy.
In recent years, Kern County has experienced a troubling rise in DUI cases, and local law enforcement agencies have made it a priority to crack down on impaired driving, especially during nighttime hours and weekends. The Bakersfield Police Department continues to urge the public to use designated drivers, ride-sharing services, or public transportation when consuming alcohol.
This incident also highlights the increased dangers that pedestrians face, particularly in areas lacking proper safety infrastructure. While the full details of what led to Martinez being in the roadway at that specific time are still under review, it has raised renewed questions about how cities like Bakersfield can better protect individuals who travel on foot.
Suniga remains in custody as authorities await the results of toxicology reports and continue their investigation. Police have not yet confirmed whether surveillance footage or witness accounts are helping to build a timeline of the events that led to the fatal crash.
Officials have asked anyone with information related to the crash to come forward to aid in the investigation. The Bakersfield Police Department and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office are expected to release more information as the case moves forward, including potential formal charges against Suniga.
Meanwhile, Martinez’s death adds to the list of lives lost to impaired driving—a sobering reminder of the consequences of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. His passing has sparked conversations not only about accountability for those responsible but also about broader solutions to reduce preventable deaths on local roads.
As the community mourns the loss of another resident to such a tragedy, law enforcement continues its efforts to ensure justice is served and that similar incidents are avoided in the future. Advocates and community members alike hope that the loss of Anthony Gregory Martinez will lead to meaningful changes in both driver behavior and city planning efforts that prioritize pedestrian safety.