Stephen Michael Prough Obituary, Death – The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the motorcyclist who was killed in a crash near Lake Isabella as 60-year-old Stephen Michael Prough from Weldon. Initially, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported his age as 61.
The fatal incident occurred on Friday evening, September 27, 2024, when CHP officers received a call about a collision between a motorcycle and a truck on Highway 178 at McCray Road at approximately 5:05 p.m.
Preliminary investigations by CHP revealed that Prough was riding a 2003 Honda motorcycle eastbound on Highway 178, west of McCray Road, at an unspecified speed. At the same time, a 16-year-old boy was driving a 2009 Chevrolet, which was stopped at a stop sign on northbound McCray Road. The driver was preparing to turn left onto westbound Highway 178.
As the Chevrolet turned left onto Highway 178, it entered the path of Prough’s motorcycle. Despite Prough’s attempt to avoid the collision, he lost control of the Honda. The left side of the motorcycle hit the roadway, causing it to slide into the left side of the Chevrolet.
Prough was partially ejected from the motorcycle and fell onto the asphalt, where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
According to CHP, there is no indication that alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash. Authorities are urging any witnesses with information about the incident to contact the California Highway Patrol, Bakersfield Area.