Two people were killed and two others were injured after a car drove into a group of about 30 cyclists taking part in a Halloween ride in Montclair, California. The tragedy happened late Saturday night, Oct. 24. The driver fled the scene but was detained by police a few hours later. According to investigators, the man may have been under the influence of alcohol. He faces charges that include causing a fatal accident and leaving the scene of a collision.
The crash occurred at about 10:39 p.m. at the intersection of Kingsley Street and Tudor Avenue in San Bernardino County. The Montclair Police Department said the group of about 30 cyclists was traveling east on Kingsley Street. At some point, an oncoming 2021 Honda Accord struck several participants in the ride. According to witnesses, the cyclists were taking part in a self-organized, Halloween-themed event.
In the collision, a 25-year-old man died at the scene. He was pronounced dead at about 10:44 p.m. Two other cyclists were taken to a hospital, where a 30-year-old woman died from her injuries on Sunday at about 1:19 a.m. A third person suffered serious injuries, but the person’s condition was described as stable. A fourth participant in the ride suffered a minor cut to the head and declined further medical care despite paramedics’ recommendations.
Video from the scene shows bicycles scattered across the roadway and emergency crews securing the crash site. According to local station KTLA, one of the victims was allegedly dragged by the car for more than a mile. Police did not confirm this in an official statement. One local resident told reporters that he heard a loud bang and, about a dozen minutes later, saw a group of visibly shaken cyclists trying to find out what had happened to the other riders.
The suspect turned out to be 38-year-old Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, a Montclair resident. Officers found him at a home not far from the scene of the crash and detained him at about 2:40 a.m. on Sunday. He was taken to West Valley Detention Center. He is suspected of driving under the influence causing death or injury, leaving the scene of an accident, and causing a death through gross negligence while driving intoxicated.
Editor: JŁ
