A Bakersfield man died Saturday morning shortly before 7 a.m. on the southbound I-5 freeway near Templin Highway.

Susan Carrigan, 58, was driving her 2005 Chevy Trailblazer southbound at approximately 65-70 mph, with her husband, James, in the passenger seat, when a 2012 Mazda 5 driven by Marion T. Tigner, 35, came up behind her at a much greater speed.

For reasons still under investigation, the front of Tigner’s Mazda struck the rear of the Chevy, causing Carrigan to lose control of the vehicle and propelling it to the east, where it struck the metal guardrail and continue down the steep embankment, while overturning.

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Due to James Carrigan’s reclined position, his lap and shoulder belt were ineffective and he was ejected into the deep ravine, sustaining fatal injuries.

The Chevy came to rest on its wheels deep in the ravine, where Susan Carrigan was trapped within the vehicle, due to extensive damage.

Tigner was able to drive his vehicle to the right shoulder, where he stopped. The East Palo Alto resident had three passengers in his vehicle; Akilah L. Montgomery, 19, of Richmond, CA, Haywood A. Watson, 31, of Sparks, NV and Chartoni R. Miles, 18, of Reno. No one in the Mazda was injured.

Personnel from the California Highway Patrol and the L.A. County Fire Department responded and provided rescue measures for Mrs. Carrigan. She was transported to Providence Holy Cross Hospital, where her injuries were deemed to be non-life-threatening.

The freeway was closed for approximately three hours to facilitate the investigation and cleanup. No arrests were made, the investigation into the crash is continuing.