18-year-old charged with dui crash that killed his passenger Thursday night

BARSTOW, Calif. (VVNG.com) — An 18-year-old was arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter and DUI after a crash that killed his passenger. 

It happened on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at about 11:55 pm, on the northbound I-15, north of  Rasor Road. 

According to the California Highway Patrol incident logs, Fernando Palafox, was the driver of a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta along with his passenger, a 21-year-old unidentified male from El Monte. 

“While traveling northbound, Mr. Palafox allowed his vehicle to leave the roadway and entered the dirt center divider where it collided into two yellow paddle markers.  Mr. Palafox turned his vehicle to the right and lost control.  The Volkswagen travelled back onto the roadway, across all lanes of traffic, and down the descending dirt embankment where it overturned,” stated CHP officials.

 The vehicle came to rest on its roof and the right front passenger was partially ejected. 

San Bernardino County Fire medical personnel arrived on scene and pronounced the passenger deceased from the injuries he sustained as a result of the collision.  

“While on scene, a DUI investigation was conducted on Mr. Palafox and it was determined he had been driving while under the influence of alcohol and was also unlicensed,” stated CHP officials. 

Palafox was placed under arrest and later booked into the High Desert Detention Center on charges of felony DUI and manslaughter. 

This collision is currently under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, Barstow Area.  For further information in reference to this collision, or if you have additional information regarding this collision, please contact the California Highway Patrol Barstow Office at 760-255-5900.