BIG BEAR, Calif. — A deadly morning crash in Big Bear has led to the arrest of a 90-year-old driver accused of striking a construction worker and leaving the scene.
The incident happened on Aug. 31 along eastbound State Route 38, east of Green Way Drive. California Highway Patrol officers were called to the area at approximately 7:07 a.m. after receiving reports of a crash involving a pedestrian at an active construction area.
According to authorities, the driver, identified as Donald Parker, 90, was traveling eastbound when his vehicle entered an area that had been closed for construction.
Investigators said Parker allegedly drove through the cone pattern marking the closure before striking a male worker who was at the scene.
“For reasons still under investigation, the [suspect] drove through the cone pattern and struck the male pedestrian,” the California Highway Patrol said.
The impact left the construction worker seriously injured and triggered an emergency response.
Construction Worker Dies After Being Struck
The worker was identified as Edgar Chavez, 43, of Riverside. Following the collision, Chavez was transported to a hospital for treatment. However, his injuries proved fatal, and he later died.
The crash has now become a fatal hit-and-run investigation because authorities said the driver did not stop after striking Chavez.
Investigators are working to determine exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the collision, including why the vehicle entered the construction closure.
The circumstances are particularly significant because the area had been marked with cones indicating that traffic should not continue through the closed section.
Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the construction setup or Chavez’s specific duties at the time of the crash.
Driver Allegedly Leaves Scene After Crash
According to investigators, Parker continued driving after the collision rather than stopping to check on the injured worker or remaining at the scene. That decision became a major part of the investigation as officers worked to identify and locate the driver.
A hit-and-run crash can make an already serious collision even more difficult for investigators and emergency responders, particularly when an injured person is left behind without immediate assistance from the person involved in the crash.
In this case, CHP investigators continued following leads until they located Parker.
90-Year-Old Driver Arrested in Big Bear Lake
Following the investigation, authorities located Donald Parker in the 41600 block of Mockingbird in Big Bear Lake. He was subsequently arrested and booked on charges of voluntary manslaughter and hit-and-run involving injury.
The arrest marks a significant development in the investigation, but authorities have not released further details about what factors led to the vehicle entering the construction area.
The precise circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation. Officials also have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed as investigators continue reviewing the evidence.
Investigation Into Deadly Hit-and-Run Continues
The death of Chavez has left a construction zone in Big Bear at the center of an ongoing investigation.
Authorities are still examining why Parker allegedly drove through the construction closure, what happened immediately before the impact and the circumstances surrounding his decision to leave the scene.
No further details were released about the case. Anyone who may have information about the deadly crash is asked to contact CHP Officer D. Julien at 909-867-2791.
As investigators continue working to establish the full sequence of events, the case remains active.
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