Full Notification

DATE/TIME: May 11,2023 / 6:31 p.m.

INCIDENT: PC 191.5 (a)(1) - Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated
VC 23153(a) - DUI Causing Injury
VC 23153(b) - DUI with Blood Alcohol +.08% Causing Injury

LOCATION: Highway 395, Between Poplar Street and Main Street

SUSPECT: Jose Vargas, 41-year-old Male Resident of Adelanto
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

VICTIM 1:Lisette Villasenor (Deceased), 36-year-old Female Resident of Victorville
Victim 2:  6-year-old Male Resident of Victorville
Victim 3:  12-year-old Female Resident of Victorville
2018 Toyota Prius
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UPDATE:  On Monday, May 15, 2023, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office filed charges in this case.  Jose Vargas, was charged with PC 187 - Murder, CVC 23153(a) - DUI Causing Bodily Injury and CVC 23153(b) - DUI with a Blood Alcohol Level of .08% or Greater Causing Bodily Injury.  Vargas is currently in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and is being held in lieu of $2,500,000 bail.  
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SUMMARY: On Thursday, May 11, 2023, at approximately 6:31 p.m., deputies from the Hesperia Police Station and rescue personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a traffic crash on Highway 395, north of Poplar Street, in Hesperia.

Jose Vargas was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe north on Highway 395, north of Poplar Street. Lisette Villasenor was driving a 2018 Toyota Prius south on Highway 395, north of Poplar Street. Villasenor's two children were passengers in her vehicle.

While driving north on Highway 395, Vargas drove his Tahoe into oncoming lanes of traffic in front of Villasenor, causing a collision. Vargas was identified and contacted at the scene. Villasenor and her children were transported to a regional trauma center by air and ground. Vargas did not sustain any injuries as a result of the crash.
Villasenor sustained major injuries and despite life saving measures, she was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. Villasenor's children sufffered moderate to major injuries.

During the investigation, deputies determined Vargas was under the influence of alcohol and over the California legal limit at the time of the crash. Vargas was booked at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and felony DUI.

The affected portion of Highway 395 between Poplar Street and Main Street were closed for several hours while deputies from the Hesperia Station processed the scene.

Anyone with information, or anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Hesperia Police Station, or We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME/www.wetip.com.



Refer: Deputy Jesus Duenas, Deputy Isaac Sanchez, or Sergeant Brendan Motley

Station: Hesperia

Phone No. (760) 947-1500

Case No. 192303063

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department