DATE/TIME: December 18, 2024 / 1:51 p.m.
INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic Collision
LOCATION: Cottonwood Avenue/El Centro Street, Hesperia
INVOLVED PARTY (1): Driver - Scarlett Medel, 29 Years of Age (Resident in the City of Hesperia)
INVOLVED VEHICLE (1): Black 2004 Honda Accord
INVOLVED PARTY(2): Driver - John Epan Jr., 62 Years of Age (Resident in the City of Hesperia)
INVOLVED VEHICLE(2): Silver 2008 Mazda 3
SUMMARY: On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at approximately 1:52 p.m., deputies from the Hesperia Sheriff's Station and rescue personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a two vehicle traffic collision at the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue, and El Centro Street, in the city of Hesperia. Upon arrival, the driver of the Honda Accord, Scarlett Medel, was found unresponsive inside the Honda. San Bernardino County Fire personnel transported Medel to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
The preliminary investigation showed the Honda was traveling east on El Centro Street, and stopped at the stop sign at the intersection with Cottonwood Avenue. John Epan Jr. drove a Mazda 3 south on Cottonwood Avenue, toward the intersection of El Centro Street. Cottonwood Avenue does not have a stop sign at the intersection with El Centro Street. Medel drove east into the intersection, and crossed the south lane of Cottonwood Avenue, into the path of the Mazda. The front end of the Mazda collided with the driver side of the Honda in a broadside traffic collision.
Drugs, alcohol and speed do not appear to be a factor in this collision.
The intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and El Centro Street was closed in the affected area 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 crash are urged to contact Deputy E. Harrison or Sergeant B. Motley at the Hesperia Sheriff's Station, (760) 947-1500.
Refer: Deputy Deputy E. Harrison or Sergeant B. Motley
Station: Hesperia Station, Traffic Division
Phone No. 760-947-1500
Case No. 192408307
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
