A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon in Hesperia, where a fatal collision claimed the life of a 29-year-old driver. The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department reported that Scarlett Medel, a Hesperia resident driving a black 2004 Honda Accord, sustained fatal injuries following a broadside collision with a silver 2008 Mazda 3, driven by 62-year-old John Epan Jr. also a resident of Hesperia. The collision occurred at the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and El Centro Street around 1:51 p.m.
According to the sheriff's department, Medel was traveling east on El Centro Street and had stopped at the stop sign before proceeding into the intersection. Epan, who was heading south on Cottonwood Avenue—a road without a stop sign at the particular intersection—collided with Medel's vehicle as she entered the south lane of Cottonwood Avenue. Authorities have indicated that neither drugs, alcohol, nor speed, appears to be a contributing factor to the fatal incident.
Rescue personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department quickly responded to the scene along with deputies from the Hesperia Sheriff's Station. Despite a swift transport to a local hospital, Medel was pronounced deceased shortly after her arrival. The area around the intersection was closed for several hours while the Hesperia Major Accident Investigation Team processed the scene.
The sheriff's department is actively seeking information from anyone with knowledge of the crash. Witnesses or those with relevant information are encouraged to reach out to Deputy E. Harrison or Sergeant B. Motley at the Hesperia Sheriff's Station by calling 760-947-1500. A full summary of the incident and ongoing investigations is available on the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department website, alongside the official report.
