UPDATE (5:30 p.m.): Bakersfield Police have not released the identity of the driver who crashed, but said speed was a factor in the crash.
Officials said they don't know at this point if drugs or alcohol were a factor.
The driver had a compound fracture to his leg and lascerations to his arm.
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UPDATE (11:30a): Around 6:45 Tuesday morning Sharon Vise was driving to Bakersfield from Wofford Heights for a repair on her vehicle.
"Someone stole my bumper guard and I was replacing it,” said Vise.
She was nearly out of the canyon when a car heading the opposite direction crashed.
“I saw debris start flying into, over the guardrail and then the car came into view," said Vise. "It was rolling and then immediately I could see fire under the engine compartment.”
Vise said she stopped her vehicle and immediately reacted.
“I jumped out and ran to the car and got the door open he was unconscious and moaning," said Vise.
She said she was trying to pull the man out of the car and was struggling until another man came up and helped her.
They pulled the driver away from the vehicle and she said minutes later law enforcement arrived.
Officials originally said the driver had major injuries, but first responders downgraded the injuries to moderate.
Vise said initially she was upset she had to drive into town and pay to have a part replaced that was stolen off her vehicle, but now she's thankful because she was able to help the man get out of the burning vehicle.
Officials have not released the identity of the driver involved in the crash.
The canyon was reopened around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.
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At least one person was injured this morning after a car ignited in the 178 near the Mouth of the Kern River Canyon.
The collision is being reported on the CHP website.
Kern County Sheriff's deputies say the victim suffered major injuries.
Right now both directions of the 178 are closed at the Mouth of the Canyon.
