DATE/TIME: April 24, 2023 / 11:15 p.m.
INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic Collision
LOCATION: Bear Valley Road/Second Avenue, Hesperia
INVOLVED PARTY (1): Driver - Jose Elizalda, 52-year-old Male, Resident of Hesperia
INVOLVED VEHICLE (1): Lexus I250
INVOVLED PARTY (2): Mariah Saldana, 21-year-old Resident of Hesperia
UPDATE: April 26, 2023 – The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division has identified the deceased as 21-year-old Hesperia resident, Mariah Saldana.
SUMMARY: On Monday, April 24, 2023, at approximately 11:15 p.m., deputies from the Hesperia Station and rescue personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic crash on Bear Valley Road near the intersection of Second Avenue, in Hesperia. Upon arrival, an adult female was located in the east lanes of Bear Valley Road, and was determined to be deceased.
The preliminary investigation showed the female was crossing Bear Valley Road when she was struck by an eastbound Lexus I250, driven by Jose Elizalda. Elizalda stayed on scene and cooperated with investigators. At this time, it does not appear drugs and/or alcohol were a factor in this crash.
There was a secondary crash as a result of the pedestrian in the roadway, which occurred when a vehicle avoided the pedestrian and was rear ended. The vehicle that was rearended rolled over following the crash. No injuries were reported as a result of the second crash.
Eastbound lanes of Bear Valley Road in the affected area were closed for several hours while deputies from the Hesperia Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) processed the scene.
Anyone with information or may have witnessed the crash are urged to contact Deputy I. Sanchez or Deputy F. Zavala at the Hesperia Station, (760) 947-1500. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
Refer: Deputy F. Zavala, Deputy I. Sanchez, or Sergeant B. Motley
Station: Hesperia Station, Traffic Division
Phone No. 760-947-1500
Case No. 192302715
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
