Montclair, California — Two people were killed and two others were injured after a suspected drunk driver struck a group of approximately 30 bicyclists taking part in a Halloween night ride in San Bernardino County, authorities said. The driver allegedly fled the scene and was arrested hours later.
The crash happened around 10:39 p.m. Saturday at Kingsley Street and Tudor Avenue in Montclair, according to the Montclair Police Department. The driver, identified by police as 38-year-old Montclair resident Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, felony hit-and-run and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision, which left two cyclists dead and another with major injuries.
What Happened During the Halloween Bike Ride?
According to investigators, approximately 30 bicyclists were traveling eastbound on Kingsley Street when a westbound 2021 Honda Accord struck several members of the group.
Police said witnesses reported that the cyclists were participating in a self-coordinated Halloween ride. The event was not sponsored, organized or affiliated with the city of Montclair.
The driver allegedly left the scene after the collision, prompting a police investigation to identify and locate the person responsible.
Footage obtained by KTLA reportedly showed several bicycles scattered across the roadway following the crash, illustrating the scale of the incident.
Authorities have not released the identities of the victims.
Two Cyclists Killed and Two Others Injured
A 25-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 10:44 p.m., just minutes after the collision, according to the reported timeline.
Two other bicyclists were transported to a local hospital for treatment. A 30-year-old woman later died from her injuries at approximately 1:19 a.m. Sunday.
The third hospitalized victim suffered major injuries but remained in stable condition, police said. A fourth bicyclist sustained a minor head laceration but declined further medical treatment against medical advice.
The deaths and injuries have made the crash a major focus of the local investigation as detectives work to establish exactly how the collision unfolded.
Witnesses Describe the Aftermath
A neighbor told that he heard a loud thud outside his home on the night of the crash. Approximately 10 to 15 minutes later, several people arrived on bicycles, appearing visibly distressed as they tried to understand what had happened.
The neighbor also said the driver did not stop after the collision.
One victim was allegedly dragged for more than a mile before being left in a residential neighborhood. Police did not address that specific detail in their news release, and it has not been independently established by the information provided by authorities.
Investigators are expected to rely on witness accounts and other available evidence to reconstruct the events leading up to and following the collision.
How Police Located and Arrested the Suspect
According to the Montclair Police Department, officers and detectives used information from witnesses to locate Rodriguez at his residence near the crash scene.
He was arrested at approximately 2:40 a.m. Sunday and booked into the West Valley Detention Center.
Rodriguez was booked on suspicion of several offenses, including driving under the influence causing injury or death, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher causing injury or death, felony hit-and-run involving death or serious injury, and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
These are allegations associated with the arrest, not proof of guilt. The case remains subject to the legal process, and the charges would need to be established in court.
Police Ask the Public for Information
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could help investigators to contact the Montclair Police Department.
People with relevant information can call 909-621-4771. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to WeTip at 800-78-CRIME.
Investigators have not released the victims’ identities, and additional details about the circumstances of the crash may emerge as the investigation continues.
The incident also highlights the risks cyclists face when sharing roads with motor vehicles, particularly during nighttime group rides when visibility and reaction time can be critical.
What steps do you think could help make nighttime group bike rides safer? Share your thoughts in the comments, and pass this story along to others who may be concerned about road safety.
