Hearing to decide what’s next for man injured in well blowout

A man who was severely injured in an oil well blowout had a hearing Tuesday to determine his status in a state prison program that allows felons to complete part of their sentence in the community rather than behind bars.

Leonardo Andrade was hurled while performing work on an oil well behind a police training facility on Easton Drive around 8:30 a.m. Dec. 2.

He was severely injured and was taken first to Kern Medical and then Sutter Health in the Bay Area to undergo surgeries to his legs.

Andrade was convicted in 2017 of second-degree robbery, threatening with intent to terrorize and preventing or dissuading a witness victim by threat or force. He was sentenced to nine years, and was in a male community re-entry program, which allows qualifying felons with two years of their sentence left to strap on an ankle monitor and work in the community, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

CDCR officers wanted to enroll Andrade in the male community re-entry program when his treatment is complete, though he is eligible to be freed completely in April. Andrade’s attorney, David Torres, opposes this point of view, saying he should be released immediately.

Attorneys will meet back Feb. 16 to hear testimony from psychological and medical experts regarding what’s next for Andrade.

A free, two-hour class for teenage drivers or prospec

tive motorists will be offered Feb. 7 at the Bakersfield California Highway Patrol office.

The class discusses safe driving habits, consequences of improper judgment while driving and ways to avoid crashing. A parent or guardian must accompany a teen to the class at 9855 Compagnoni St.

Call 661-396-6600 to reserve a spot as space is limited.

A 14-year-old girl who has never run away before has

been missing since Monday, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

Aaliyah Zoey Beltran, who has long brown hair and brown eyes, was last seen in the 1100 block of Noble Avenue wearing a gray Champion sweater, blue jeans and black Nike Air Force tennis shoes. She is a Hispanic girl about 4 feet, 11 inches and weighs 90 pounds.

Anyone with information about Beltran’s location is asked to call the BPD at 661-327-7111.

An 11-year-old boy who has never run away disap

peared Tuesday from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, the Bakersfield Police Department said.

Jeremiah Barraza, who is Hispanic, was last seen wearing a gray sweater, blue jeans and black crocks. He’s about 5 feet tall and weighs 70 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen around 11:20 a.m., police added.

Residents who have information about Barraza may call the BPD at 661-327-7111.