San Bernardino County Sheriff Reports:
On December 16, 2016, at approximately 10:21 p.m., Victorville deputies were dispatched to a report of an unknown injury traffic collision that occurred in the area of Palmdale Road and Emerald Road in the city of Victorville.
A black Toyota Echo driven by an unidentified man was traveling east on Palmdale Road in the #1 lane of traffic and slowed to make a left turn onto northbound Emerald Road. A black 2005 Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle driven by Florencio Arellanes Bernal was traveling east in the #1 lane of traffic on Palmdale Road following the Toyota Echo.
The Toyota Highlander failed to slow or stop and collided with the rear of the Toyota Echo and flipped and rolled several times before coming to rest upside down in the eastbound lanes of Palmdale Road. The driver of the Toyota Echo was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for treatment. The female passenger in the Toyota Echo was declared deceased at the scene of the collision. Identification is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Arellanes Bernal was determined to be driving under the influence and was subsequently arrested for the following violations:
PC191.5(a)- Gross Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated,
VC23153(a) Driving Under the Influence Causing Great Bodily Injury or Death
VC23153(b) Driving Under the Influence Causing Great Bodily Injury or Death with BAC .08% or over
VC23153(f) Driving Under the Influence of Combination of Drugs and Alcohol Causing Great Bodily Injury or Death
Palmdale Road was closed to traffic in both directions in the area of the collision until approximately 1000 hours on 12/17/16 for the investigation. This is an ongoing investigation by the Victorville Station Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT). Anyone with information about the collision is requested to contact Deputy C. Wallace or Deputy C. Dekeyrel at (760)241-2911.
Refer: C. Wallace, Deputy Sheriff
C. Dekeyrel, Deputy Sheriff
Station: Victorville Police Department