Bakersfield, United States - December 22, 2024 12/22/2024 05:05 am (GMT-0800) LEBEC, Calif. – A semi-truck crashed into a canal early Sunday morning on the northbound side of Interstate 5, approximately three-quarters of a mile south of Laval Road East in Kern County. The incident was reported at 5:05 a.m. Kern County Fire initially responded to the scene, but the operation was later handed over to Kern Search and Rescue for a possible recovery operation. The status of any occupants inside the truck remains unknown, and it has not been confirmed whether there were any fatalities. California Highway Patrol is handling the crash investigation, while the California Office of Emergency Services was dispatched to assess the possibility of a hazardous materials leak into the canal. No further details are available at this time. The situation is ongoing. Agencies involved include Kern County Fire, Kern County Sheriff's Office, and CHP.