A tragic three-vehicle collision claimed the life of one man in Adelanto on the night of Friday, September 13, 2024. According to an announcement by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, deputies rushed to the scene at Palmdale Road near Baldy Mesa Road at around 9:46 p.m. following reports of a fatal traffic accident.
The deceased, identified as Raul Rodriguez Zarcos, was behind the wheel of a 2014 Honda Accord heading eastbound on Palmdale Road when he reportedly rear-ended a 2017 Ford Transit van. Following the initial collision, Zarcos’ Honda crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a 2020 Infiniti. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, Zarcos was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident resulted in the driver of the Infiniti being transported to a local hospital, while the driver of a Ford van reported pain but did not require ambulance transport, as per the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department's report.
Investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are actively looking into the circumstances surrounding the collision. All involved vehicles had no passengers which potentially limited the number of casualties. The Sheriff's Department has called upon anyone with information to come forward and has guaranteed anonymity for those who wish to provide tips through We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or their website.
Details surrounding the cause of the collision or the series of events that led to the tragedy are still scarce, as the investigation remains ongoing. The office of Sheriff-Coroner Shannon D. Dicus is overseeing the process in an effort to piece together this heartbreaking incident. Persons with knowledge about the events leading up to the collision are encouraged to contact Deputy R. Morales at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station by calling 760-552-6800, as highlighted in the Sheriff-Coroner's press release.
