News

Actions

McLaughlin was a prominent figure in Kern County

Posted

81-year-old Melvin McLaughlin has been identified as the victim of a car crash late Tuesday morning at 7th Standard Road and Golden State Highway. 

California Highway Patrol says McLaughlin had started to go through the intersection after the light had turned green.

He was hit on the driver's side by a man who ran through a red light. The other driver has been identified as 30-year-old Lorenzo Alonzo.

McLaughlin died at the scene.

CHP says they received a tip on Wednesday that Alonzo was at Kern Medical Center visiting the passenger who was in the vehicle with him at the time of the crash and they arrested him.

CHP says they believe Alonzo was driving under the influence and had previous DUI's.

He has been booked in Kern County jail for first degree murder, among other charges. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

McLaughlin was a former Kern County fire captain, member of the Wasco City Council and, most currently, was the chairman of the Kern County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo). 

Rebecca Moore, who worked with McLaughlin at LAFCo, says he was a tremendous leader and great person who loved his family.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

04/01/2025

Heavy Rain

-° / 44°

99%

Wednesday

04/02/2025

Partly Cloudy

61° / 45°

4%

Thursday

04/03/2025

Mostly Clear

66° / 45°

5%

Friday

04/04/2025

Clear

71° / 48°

3%

Saturday

04/05/2025

Clear

77° / 50°

1%

Sunday

04/06/2025

Partly Cloudy

83° / 54°

0%

Monday

04/07/2025

Partly Cloudy

81° / 53°

3%

Tuesday

04/08/2025

Clear

80° / 54°

3%