A San Bernardino County man was charged with manslaughter in a crash that killed a 20-year-old woman and a child.
The suspect was identified as Miguel Villarreal, 23, of Rialto, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
On Nov. 21, 2024, Villareal was driving a Volkswagen sedan that was also carrying Alexa Chavez, 20, and a boy whose identity was not released.
While driving near Seventh Avenue and Lime Street in Hesperia, the driver lost control and the vehicle went off the roadway before crashing into a chain link fence and several trees.
Chavez was pronounced dead at the scene. Villareal was transported to the hospital for treatment and the boy was airlifted to a trauma center with major injuries.
Following an investigation, detectives determined Villarreal had allegedly been driving at high speeds and with recklessness when he crashed the car. Alcohol was not a factor in the collision, officials said.
An arrest warrant was issued for Villarreal and on Aug. 23, 2025, he was located at his home and arrested for vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. He is being held on $260,000 bail.
On a GoFundMe page for Chavez, loved ones described her as a hard worker who “always had the biggest smile on her face, making everyone laugh all the time.”
No further details were released as the case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Deputy J. Deberg at the Hesperia Police Department at 760-947-1500 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-956-5001.
Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.
