Prosecutors have filed manslaughter charges against a driver accused of causing a crash in Apple Valley last week that claimed the lives of a Victorville mother and her two young children.
Hendrix Arcadio Collado, 43, of Hesperia faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, along with two counts of reckless driving causing great bodily injury, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records.
The case was filed Tuesday, Aug. 4. Collado was yet to enter a plea.
The charges stem from a three-vehicle crash that took place about 11:40 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Yucca Loma and Apple Valley roads, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Collado was driving a 2015 Dodge Caravan when he ran through a red light and broadsided a 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan containing the victim family, investigators said at the time.
Theodora Wilson, 39; Rose Valenzuela, 6; and Felix Valenzeula, 6, who were all passengers of the Volkwagen, died from their injuries at the scene, according to coroner’s officials.
A man who was driving the Volkswagen, as well as an additional passenger, were hospitalized with major injuries.
The impact pushed the Volkswagen into a collision with an eastbound 2019 Toyota Highlander, officials said. The driver was not seriously injured.
Collado was treated for injuries and arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and drugged driving, records show, although prosecutors did not file a DUI charge against him.
Bail for Collado was set at $250,000 pending legal proceedings.
An arraignment hearing was set for Wednesday, Aug. 5, in the Rancho Cucamonga Branch of San Bernardino County Superior Court.
Any witnesses, or anyone with information, can reach the Apple Valley Police Department at (760) 240-7400. Tips may also be provided anonymously to the WeTip hotline at (844) 909-3096.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Charges filed in crash that killed Victorville mother, 2 children
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
