The crash occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on June 9 on Highway 38 between Amethyst Street and Garnet Street.
Redlands, CA – A 73-year-old motorcyclist was killed after a hit-and-run crash on Highway 38 in Redlands that left both the victim and his motorcycle engulfed in flames, according to the Redlands Police Department.
The crash occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on June 9 on Highway 38 between Amethyst Street and Garnet Street.
Investigators said the Redlands man was riding a motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle and was ejected from the bike. Fuel leaking from the damaged bike later ignited, setting both the motorcycle and the victim on fire.
Bystanders rushed to assist the victim, extinguishing the flames and performing CPR until paramedics arrived. The motorcyclist was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said the driver of the other vehicle fled the scene without stopping to render aid. The suspect was later identified as 24-year-old Victor Gonzalez of San Bernardino.
The exact cause of the collision has not been released. Investigators determined that the crash involved a hit-and-run, and detectives later used dash-camera footage and nearby traffic camera video to identify the suspect and his vehicle.
Emergency responders treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to the hospital. Detectives subsequently conducted an extensive investigation that led them to the suspect’s residence.
On June 11, authorities arrested Gonzalez at his home on the 7800 block of McKinley Avenue. Investigators also located a gold-colored 2008 Mercedes-Benz C30 with extensive damage to the driver’s side that was concealed under a tarp at the property.
The fatal motorcycle crash remains under investigation, and officials have not released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the collision.