DATE/TIME: November 8, 2023 / 8:13 P.M.
INCIDENT: Fatal Hit and Run
LOCATION: Amargosa Road, between Mesa Street and Gabriel Road, Victorville
VICTIM: Felipe Avila, 58-year-old male, Resident of Hesperia (Deceased)
SUSPECT: Stephen Culpepper, 37-year-old San Bernardino Resident
UPDATE: Through continued investigation, deputies identified 37-year-old Stephen Culpepper to be the suspect involved in the November 8, 2023, hit and run. On January 12, 2024, Culpepper was arrested for CVC 20001(a)- Hit and Run Causing Great Bodily Injury/Death. Culpepper was booked into the High Desert Detention Center.
SUMMARY: On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at approximately 8:13 P.M., deputies from the Victorville Police Department were dispatched to the report of a man down beside Amargosa Road. Deputies arrived on scene and located Felipe Avila suffering from major injuries. Avila was pronounced deceased on scene.
Deputies from the Victorville Station Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T) responded and assumed the investigation. Deputies determined Avila was struck by a pickup truck traveling south, which fled the scene. Deputies determined the suspect’s full-size truck sustained damage to the passenger side view mirror.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Deputy Wolff at the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Deputy G. Wolff
Station: Victorville Police Department
Phone No. (760) 241-2911
Case No. 172312558
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
