MONTCLAIR, California, October 25, 2026 — Two cyclists were killed and two others injured when a suspected drunk driver struck a group of approximately 30 people during a Halloween bicycle ride in Southern California late Saturday. One victim was reportedly dragged about a mile before the vehicle was abandoned, according to local television reports.
Police arrested 38-year-old Montclair resident Valentin Alberto Rodriguez early Sunday on suspicion of driving under the influence, felony hit-and-run and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The collision occurred around 10:39 p.m. Saturday at Kingsley Street and Tudor Avenue in Montclair, San Bernardino County.
Halloween Bike Ride Turns Deadly in Montclair
Investigators said approximately 30 cyclists were traveling eastbound along Kingsley Street when a westbound 2021 Honda Accord struck several riders.
Witnesses described the gathering as a self-coordinated Halloween bicycle ride. Police clarified that the event was not sponsored, organized or affiliated with the city of Montclair.
A 25-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene around 10:44 p.m. Two other cyclists were transported to a hospital, where a 30-year-old woman died from her injuries at approximately 1:19 a.m. Sunday.
Another hospitalized cyclist suffered major injuries but remained in stable condition. A fourth rider sustained a minor head laceration and declined further medical treatment.
The deceased victims’ identities had not been publicly released in the initial police reports.
Victim Reportedly Dragged About a Mile After Impact
One of the most disturbing details emerged from reports that the vehicle dragged a cyclist approximately one mile after the initial collision.
NBC Los Angeles reported that the vehicle stopped near Amherst Avenue and Flora Street, where it was allegedly abandoned. The broadcaster’s early report said the dragged cyclist died.
However, the detailed police account subsequently reported by KTLA did not specifically address the dragging allegation or clarify which victim was involved.
Witnesses described bicycles scattered across the roadway. One nearby resident told KTLA he heard a loud impact before distressed cyclists arrived in the neighborhood roughly 10 to 15 minutes later.
Police Arrest DUI Suspect Valentin Alberto Rodriguez
Police said the driver fled the original collision scene. Investigators used witness information to locate Rodriguez at his residence near the crash site.
He was arrested at approximately 2:40 a.m. Sunday and booked into the West Valley Detention Center.
Rodriguez was booked on suspicion of several offenses:
- Driving under the influence causing injury or death.
- Driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher causing injury or death.
- Felony hit-and-run involving death or serious injury.
- Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed a specific blood-alcohol test result in the reviewed reports. The allegations have not been proven in court.
ABC7 Los Angeles confirmed the two fatalities and Rodriguez’s arrest, citing information from Montclair police.
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Fatal Collision Raises Questions About Road Safety
The crash highlights the vulnerability of cyclists traveling on roads shared with motor vehicles, particularly after dark. Investigators have not established whether speeding, visibility or other road conditions contributed to Saturday’s collision.
A separate fatal hit-and-run involving a cyclist in Bibra Lake, Perth, recently prompted another police investigation after a 40-year-old rider was killed. The incidents are unrelated.
Vehicle collisions have also devastated people attending recreational events. In Kansas, a pickup truck crash at a Wichita youth soccer game killed two people, including a six-year-old boy, and injured 10 others. Authorities are investigating that separate incident.
Police Seek Witnesses as Investigation Continues
Montclair investigators are examining the collision, the vehicle’s movements afterward and the circumstances surrounding the suspected impaired driving.
Questions remain about the reported dragging incident, the precise cause of the collision and whether additional surveillance or dashcam recordings could help reconstruct the events.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Montclair Police Department at 909-621-4771. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through WeTip at 800-78-CRIME.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the complete circumstances of the crash and notify the victims’ families.
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