A Southern California man has been arrested following an alleged drunk driving incident that resulted in a car crash and the death of his passenger. The event unfolded on Friday night, with a call made to the Rialto Police Department reporting a single-vehicle collision at approximately 8:17 p.m.
Upon officers arrival, three minutes post the call, at the 500 block of West Merrill Avenue, they discovered a female passenger suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite officers hastily administering emergency first aid procedures, the passenger was pronounced dead on the scene at 8:25 p.m. The victim, later identified as 33-year-old Rachel Martin of Rialto, was left alone in the vehicle by the driver who had fled the scene.
Witnesses were able to help identify the driver as 28-year-old Joshua Cardenas, of Rialto, who suffered minor injuries from the crash. According to early investigations, Cardenas was speeding in a white 2021 Ford Mustang over 85 mph eastbound on Merrill Avenue. He lost control of the car at a Cactus Avenue intersection, crashing into several trees, and came to rest in the westbound lanes.
The police found evidence suggesting intoxicated driving was a factor for the crash and that Cardenas had been driving under the influence of alcohol. Excessive speed was also indicated as a contributing factor. Cardenas was booked into a San Bernardino County jail on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, with bail set at $100,000.
The Rialto Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team is conducting further investigations. They requested any individuals with pertinent information regarding the incident to contact Traffic Sergeant Dan Smith or to anonymously report details through WeTip using the reference case #932502122.
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