On Sunday night, December 1, the Rialto Police Department was faced with a heart-wrenching incident. A suspected illegal street race led to the tragic loss of a 19-year-old Rialto resident and left two others with injuries. The crash, which took place on the 1400 block of South Cactus Avenue at around 10:32 p.m., was a harrowing event that ended in disaster.

"Illegal Street Racing - A Deadly Path to Tragedy"

Victim and the Crash Scene

The victim was identified as Marcques Mena, who was behind the wheel of a white Ford Mustang. It was discovered that Mena and 24-year-old Jose Perez-Villafuerte of Fontana had engaged in a street race after stopping at the intersection of Cactus Avenue and San Bernardino Avenue. As they sped southbound on Cactus Avenue, Mena lost control of his car, causing it to veer off the road and collide with a tree. Rialto Police officers arrived promptly at 10:35 p.m., followed by paramedics from the Rialto Fire Department. Despite their best efforts, Mena was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m. Two passengers in Mena's vehicle were rushed to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.Perez-Villafuerte, driving a gray Ford Mustang, was found nearby and taken into custody. He was later booked into the San Bernardino County jail on a charge of vehicular manslaughter under Penal Code 192(c)(1), with a bail set at $60,000.

Preliminary Findings and Investigation

Preliminary findings from the Rialto Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team suggest that neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in the crash. However, the investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident.Traffic Sergeant Dan Smith stated, "The Rialto Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene and is conducting a thorough investigation. Anyone with information about this incident can contact us at (909) 644-6025."This deadly incident has once again brought to light the ongoing dangers of illegal street racing in Southern California communities. Authorities strongly urge drivers to refrain from participating in such reckless activities, as they often have devastating consequences.