A tragedy unfolded in the Mojave Riverbed area of Victorville on a peaceful Sunday evening, as an off-roading adventure took a lethal turn. According to a report from the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, Francisco Enrique Gonzalez, a 40-year-old resident of Adelanto, now faces murder charges following the incident that left one woman dead and another severely injured.
The Victorville Police Department along with emergency services responded to the scene around 7:00 p.m. after Gonzalez, operating a black Can-Am off-road vehicle with four occupants, lost control and crashed. Investigators allege that Gonzalez was under the influence of alcohol, and noted that this is not the first time he has faced DUI charges. In 2017, he was convicted for a DUI offense where he drove, with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher. The authorities have since arrested him and detained him at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto, as per the sheriff's department.
The accident had dire consequences for the passengers involved. Cynthia Lynn Lorntzen, a 61-year-old woman, suffered fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the site. Another victim, a 19-year-old female whose name has not been released, sustained major injuries and was swiftly transported to a trauma center for immediate care.
The Victorville Police urge anyone with additional information about the crash to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. Contact options include reaching out to the Victorville Police Station directly or, for those wishing anonymity, the We-Tip hotline offers a confidential avenue for tips. Deputy J. Stroik, of the Victorville station, is named as the contact reference for this case that has marked a sobering reminder of the repercussions, of impaired driving.
