Community member urges Supervisor Perez to address poor lighting in east Bakersfield

After a pedestrian was hit by a driver on Tuesday evening at the in east Bakersfield, community members told us this isn't an isolated incident and this situation has happened multiple times.

So we took a look at the number of times something like this has happened in the area.

Just this year we found two other crashes involving pedestrians.

Both of them happened around the evening hours about a mile away from the most recent one.

A community who saw the most recent crash told us she suspects it's the lack of lighting in the area causing issues.

We went out there to see for ourselves.

There were sidewalks, but no crosswalks until you hit major intersections off Niles.

We noticed lighting was an issue. Only houses and businesses surrounding Niles were the main source of lighting illuminating the street.

The community member said she's tried to bring attention to the issue.

"I've called CHP. I've called 911. I've called the sheriff to call the community for them to patrol the community here off Niles and Orange Drive," said the community member.

Even calling upon her district supervisor, Leticia Perez.

"Leticia Perez if you are actually listening to me, please please I've reached out to you and your office," the community member said, "I ask and the community asks for you to take action. I ask for you to put lighting."

She also said the bus stop means there are more people without cars in the area putting them at risk of getting hit by drivers.

"We've had it as a community, it's so dark here it's ridiculous. Please do something. Do your job, Leticia Perez," the community member said.

We've reached out to Perez's office for comment, but she was unable to speak with us in time for this report.

We also reached out to the public works department for comment on the lighting but have not heard back.