Full Notification

DATE/TIME: February 20, 2024 / 3:42 p.m.

INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic Collision (Gross Vehicluar Manslaughter While Intoxicated/Felony DUI)

LOCATION: Mariposa Road, south of Mesquite Street, Hesperia

INVOLVED PARTY (1): Driver/Suspect - Pavlo (AKA: Pablo) Padilla, 45-year-old male from Victorville
INVOLVED VEHICLE (1): Black, 2016 Chevrolet Suburban

INVOLVED PARTY (2): Driver/Victim - Pedro Valencia-Perez, 58-year-old male from Barstow (Deceased)
INVOLVED VEHICLE (2): Blue, 2005 Toyota Corolla

TOYOTA PASSENGER: Passenger - Jose Valencia-Saucedo, 22-year-old male from Barstow (Deceased)
TOYOTA PASSENGER: Passenger - Rosa Saucedo-Negrete, 59-year-old female from Barstow (Deceased)
TOYOTA PASSENGER: Passenger - Francisco Valencia-Saucedo, 21-year-old male from Barstow (Major Injuries)


SUMMARY: On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at approximately 3:42 p.m., deputies from the Hesperia Station and rescue personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a traffic collision on Mariposa Road, just south of Mesquite Street, in the city of Hesperia. Upon arrival, deputies determined Pavlo (AKA Pablo) Padilla was driving a Chevrolet Suburban north on Mariposa Road. Pedro Valencia-Perez was driving a Toyota Corolla south on Mariposa Road with three passengers. Padilla drove north onto the south lane of Mariposa Road and collided head on into Valencia-Perez' vehicle. Both involved vehicles sustained major damage as a result of the crash. Despite life saving measures, Valencia-Perez and one of his passengers sustained fatal injuries at the scene. A second passenger was later pronounced deceased at a regional trauma center.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears drugs and/or alcohol were a factor in this crash. Pavlo "Pablo" Padilla received serious injuries and was arrested, pending charges for PC 191.5 (a) - Vehicular Manslaghter While Intoxicated and CVC 23153 (a)/(b) - Felony DUI Causing Injury/Death.

Mariposa Road between Joshua Street and Ranchero Road was closed for several hours while deputies from the Hesperia Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) processed the scene. 

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the collision are urged to contact Deputy Deputy F. Zavala, Deputy J. Deberg, or Sergeant B. Motley at the Hesperia Station.

Refer: Sergeant B. Motley

Station: Hesperia Station, Traffic Division

Phone No. 760-947-1500

Case No. 192401337

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