Victorville Head-On Crash Kills Woman

A head-on collision in Victorville took the life of a 50-year-old woman and sent two men to the hospital Saturday morning. The wrong way driver had allegedly travelled close to six miles in the opposite direction at speeds close to 100 miles per hour and was allegedly under the influence of drugs.

Ilich Ernesto Vargas, of Phelan, was subdued with a Taser gun as he attempted to attack his rescuers following the crash. He was trapped in the white Jeep Cherokee he had driven southbound on Interstate 15 above the speed limit near Bear Valley Road.

In the Jeep Cherokee rescuers found a non-responsive woman, later identified as Kellie Sue Hughes, in the passenger seat. She was declared dead.

Witnesses claimed to have seen Vargas’ vehicle as far back as the Highway 395 on-ramp. Authorities however are investigating the point that the driver entered the highway. They are approximating that the driver might have entered the highway sometime before 7:30 a.m.

“The vehicle was reportedly traveling at approximately 100 mph,” CHP Officer Mario Lopez said.

A Fort Irwin man driving a black Mazda near the Bear Valley Road exit made an attempt to stop when the Jeep, heading against traffic, came towards his direction but was unable to avoid the collision. The vehicles hit head-on, spun, and slid for a short distance. When they did come to a stop it, it was in front of an Ashley Furniture store and the Mazda was on the center median rail.

Rescuers transported the driver of the Mazda to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center according to High Desert Daily Press. CHP officials stated that he suffered moderate to major injuries including abrasions and back pain. His injuries however did not appear to be life-threatening.

Vargas was transported to Desert Valley Hospital. Despite having a broken leg, he began to physically attack his rescuers. To subdue him, authorities struck him with a Taser gun.

California Highway Patrol arrested Vargas on the scene for being under the influence of drugs and causing a major-injury collision.

Authorities shut down all but one lane on I-15 near the crash site while investigators scraped the scene for evidence. The closure caused major traffic delays.

After Vargas is released from the hospital authorities will take him to jail. Records show that Vargas has been convicted in the past at San Bernardino for disturbing the peace, assault with a deadly weapon, and drug possession.

Have you lost a loved or been physically injured because a wrong way driver did not follow the law? Then you need to contact a Victorville car accident lawyer for a free consultation today. You may qualify to receive significant financial compensation.

 

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