17-Year-Old Driver Airlifted After Crash on Highway 395 in Adelanto Dies From Injuries

ADELANTO, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A 17-year-old driver was killed after a crash involving a pickup truck and a semi truck shut down Highway 395 in Adelanto Friday night, authorities confirmed.

The crash occurred at about 10:48 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, along Highway 395 just north of El Mirage Road.

According to Gloria Orejel, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a multiple-vehicle traffic collision.

Orejel said a white Dodge Ram veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a semi-truck.

The driver of the Dodge, identified as Michael Zavala, 17, of Tehachapi, was flown to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he died the following day.

San Bernardino County Fire personnel responded to the scene and reported major damage, also advising that one occupant was trapped and required extrication. A REACH medical helicopter landed directly on the highway and airlifted Zavala from the scene.

The semi-truck driver was transported to St. Mary Medical Center. The occupants of a third vehicle involved in the incident were not injured.

The semi, a tractor-trailer combination transporting paint, was stopped along the right shoulder of the northbound lanes, while the Dodge Ram sustained extensive front-end damage and came to rest in the southbound lanes.

The investigation into the crash is being handled by the Adelanto Sheriff’s Station.

Related Article: Helicopter Lands On Highway 395 After Pickup Truck and Semi Truck Collide in Adelanto

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