A Bakersfield father was arrested Sunday after his 7-year-old daughter was ejected from his vehicle in a 5 Freeway crash due to her sharing a seatbelt with another sibling. 

Around 1:15 p.m. Sunday, officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Newhall Area  personnel responded to a multi-vehicle 5 Freeway crash near Lyons Avenue, said Josh Greengard, spokesperson for the CHP Newhall Office. 

Neftali Acevedo Saenz, 35, from Bakersfield, the driver of a Honda CR-V and a Toyota 4-Runner collided, causing the Honda to flip, according to Officials.  

“A preliminary investigation determined one of the drivers made an unsafe lane change, causing the right front of the Honda CR-V to collide with the left rear of the Toyota 4-Runner,” Greengard said. “The Honda CR-V overturned and a juvenile passenger was ejected from the vehicle.” 

CHP officers learned six passengers were in the CR-V which could legally only seat five, according to Greengard. 

“Two passengers, one being the 7-year-old, were sharing a seatbelt, which is not legal in California,” Greengard said. 

The 7-year-old girl was transported to Northridge Hospital with major injuries, according to officials. 

Acevedo Saenz was arrested at the scene for felony child endangerment, Greengard said.  

Drugs and/or alcohol are not suspected to be a factor in this crash. Any witnesses or anyone with further information into the 5 Freeway crash are encouraged to contact Officer Nichols, at (661) 600-1600.

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