Rodriguez & Associates has secured a $22 million settlement, the largest in City of Bakersfield history, in a civil lawsuit involving a police vehicle collision. The settlement resolves a 2023 crash that killed Mario Lares and left passenger Ana Hernandez with life-altering injuries.
The lawsuit alleged that former Officer Ricardo Robles ran a stop sign at high speed without activating lights or a siren, striking the Honda Accord carrying Lares and Hernandez. Court filings also noted that Robles had been called off from a prior pursuit, yet still failed to follow established emergency response protocols.
“This case is about a life lost and a life permanently changed,” said Daniel Rodriguez, founder and president of Rodriguez & Associates. “While no amount can undo that night, this settlement provides meaningful support for the families and reinforces that responsibility matters when public safety policies are ignored.”
The plaintiffs’ trial team included partners Chantal Trujillo and Danay Gonzalez, along with associate Alexis Paredez. The case had advanced through pre-trial hearings and two days of jury selection before the City offered the settlement, which the firm accepted on behalf of the families.
This resolution is a significant milestone not just for the families involved but also for public accountability in Bakersfield. It underscores the importance of adherence to police policies designed to protect the public and demonstrates that negligence by public officials has serious consequences.
Rodriguez & Associates has a long-standing record of achieving extraordinary results for clients. In addition to this settlement, the firm has secured the top three highest personal injury verdicts in Kern County history and the largest personal injury settlement in the region. With over $1 billion recovered and multiple record-setting verdicts, Rodriguez & Associates has built a reputation for challenging powerful defendants and delivering results in high-stakes cases throughout the Southern San Joaquin Valley. Its attorneys combine deep trial experience with a client-first approach rooted in accountability and justice. Learn more about these landmark cases here.
Read the full press release: $22 Million Settlement Reached in Fatal Bakersfield Police Collision Lawsuit.