Back to Home Media Blog Kern County Comes Together For DUI Prevention, Crash Victims in 12th ‘Walk Like MADD + MADD Dash’, Co-Presented by Chain | Cohn | Clark

Kern County Comes Together For DUI Prevention, Crash Victims in 12th ‘Walk Like MADD + MADD Dash’, Co-Presented by Chain | Cohn | Clark

September 17, 2025 | Article by Chain | Cohn | Clark staff

Kern County Comes Together For DUI Prevention, Crash Victims in 12th ‘Walk Like MADD + MADD Dash’, Co-Presented by Chain | Cohn | Clark

Hundreds of crash victims, family members and friends, law enforcement officers and first responders, community leaders, and supporters filled Park at River Walk on Saturday, Sept. 13, with one shared purpose: to end impaired driving in Kern County.

The 12th annual Walk Like MADD + MADD Dash, presented by the Law Office of Chain | Cohn | Clark, Eagle Mountain Casino, and Valley Strong Credit Union, raised more than $71,000 to provide critical support for victims of DUI crashes, expand education and prevention programs in local schools, help fund DUI checkpoints and enforcement efforts. Since its launch in 2014, the Bakersfield walk and run has generated nearly three-quarters of a million dollars for MADD Kern County programs.

Despite progress, Kern County continues to rank among the most dangerous regions in California and the United States for impaired driving crashes, with Bakersfield experiencing more than 200 DUI crashes and more than 20 fatal DUI crashes in the just the first half of 2025.

“We come together each year not just to remember those we’ve lost, but to take action so no other family has to endure the pain of an impaired driving crash,” said Jorge Barrientos, chairman of the event’s planning committee and marketing director for Chain | Cohn | Clark. “This event shows the strength of our community and our shared commitment to ending impaired driving in Kern County. When we invest in education, prevention, and enforcement, we’re investing in a safer Kern County for everyone.”

The morning began with an emotional opening ceremony featuring victims’ stories and words from MADD leaders, law enforcement, prosecutors, and local elected officials. Families then joined in the kids’ fun run, athletes competed in the timed 5K, and supporters marched shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with victims. The event concluded with an awards celebration recognizing top teams, fundraisers, and race runners. They were:

  • Top Friends and Family Teams: Des and Max Mooney
  • Top Individual Fundraiser: Trent Wells
  • Law Enforcement Challenge Trophy: Kern County District Attorney’s Office
  • Corporate Challenge: Valley Strong Credit Union
  • Top Male Runner: Brett Brown, 17:49 (Youth Male: Angel Martinez, 16:17)
  • Top Female Runner: Isabella Valenzuela, 24:48 (Youth Female: Catherine Ramirez, 28:31)
  • Kid’s Fun Run: Arthur Avila

Presented by Chain Cohn Clark, Eagle Mountain Casino and Valley Strong Credit Union, the event was also sponsored by Bakersfield Police Department Traffic Unit, Kern County Prosecutors Association, Punjabi Golf Association Bakersfield, Rain for Rent, Janaway Publishing Inc., Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation, Mission Bank, and Old Ironsides Construction Inc.

Bakersfield continues to rank among the nation’s worst for DUI arrests and crashes. In just the first half of 2025 – January through June – Bakersfield Police Department made 387 DUI arrests and investigated 112 DUI collisions with 7 fatalities. CHP Bakersfield Division from January through August has made 734 arrests and investigated 117 DUI crashes with 16 DUI fatalities. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting more than 1,600 misdemeanor DUIs involving alcohol and more than 70 DUI felonies. With these statistics, Kern County ranks among the worst in the state for DUI crashes resulting in injuries, and among the worst in the nation for DUI arrests.

Funds raised through the MADD Dash help support victims of DUI-related incidents, expand education and awareness programs in local schools, and provide crucial resources for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Kern County’s prevention efforts, all while keeping 100% of donations in Kern County.

Over its 12-year history, Bakersfield’s Walk Like MADD + MADD Dash has raised more than $700,000 to fight DUI crimes and care for local victims. This year’s effort continued to fuel MADD Kern County’s programs, supporting law enforcement’s DUI checkpoints, victim advocacy, and ongoing educational outreach. To become part of the solution, community members are encouraged to walk, run, volunteer, and donate to future MADD Dash events and support ongoing efforts to eliminate drunk and drugged driving in Kern County.

To view complete race results, click here.

To view photos from the event by photographer Arthur Smith, click here.

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If you or someone you know is injured in an accident at the fault of someone else, or injured on the job no matter whose fault it is, contact the attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark by calling (661) 323-4000, or fill out a free consultation form, text, or chat with us at chainlaw.com.