MONTCLAIR, CA — A Halloween-themed group bicycle ride in Montclair ended in tragedy Saturday night after police say a suspected drunk driver struck several cyclists, killing two people and injuring others.
The crash happened near Kingsley Street and Tudor Avenue at about 10:39 p.m., according to the Montclair Police Department. Investigators said about 30 bicyclists were riding together as part of a self-coordinated Halloween event when the vehicle hit multiple riders.
Police said the driver fled immediately after the collisions. One cyclist died at the scene, and another woman later died at a hospital. A third rider was hospitalized with major injuries and remained stable, while a fourth suffered minor injuries and declined treatment.
Police say the driver fled, then was found at home hours later
Investigators later identified the driver and found him at his home about a mile from the crash site. Police arrested 38-year-old Valentin Alberto Rodriguez around 2:40 a.m. Sunday.
Authorities said he was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of DUI causing injury or death, felony hit-and-run involving death and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
The arrest came within hours of the crash, after officers worked to track down the vehicle and the person believed to have been behind the wheel. Police have not released additional details about how the driver was identified or what led them to his home.
A night ride meant for Halloween turned deadly in a residential area
According to police, the cyclists were taking part in a self-organized Halloween ride rather than an official city event. The group was riding through a residential part of Montclair when the collision happened.
The location at Kingsley Street and Tudor Avenue became the focus of a heavy police response as investigators examined the scene. The crash involving a large group of cyclists made the case especially devastating because so many riders were together at once.
Authorities have not said whether the group was using a formal route or whether any traffic controls were in place at the time. What is clear is that the ride, which began as a seasonal gathering, ended with two deaths and several people hurt.
Injuries ranged from fatal to minor as emergency crews responded
Police said the first cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the collision. Another rider, described only as a woman, died later at a local hospital after being transported for treatment.
One additional victim suffered major injuries but was in stable condition as of Sunday, while another rider had only minor injuries and chose not to go to the hospital. Those details showed the wide range of harm caused when the driver hit several people in a single crash.
No names of the victims have been released. Authorities also have not said how many of the roughly 30 cyclists were directly struck, beyond noting that several riders were hit.
Mourners left flowers and balloons at the crash corner Sunday
By Sunday, a memorial had started to grow near the intersection where the collision occurred. Flowers and balloons marked the corner, and family members of the victims came by throughout the day to pay their respects.
The scene underscored the shock felt after a group outing turned fatal in a matter of seconds. The memorial also served as a visible reminder for neighbors and passersby of the lives lost in the crash.
Police have not said whether additional public vigils or memorial events are planned. For now, the growing tribute at the corner is the clearest sign of grief left behind by the deadly incident.
The case now centers on DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter charges
Rodriguez faces allegations that include driving under the influence with injury or death, felony hit-and-run involving death and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Those accusations place the case among the most serious traffic-related charges under California law.
The investigation remains active as police continue to piece together what happened before, during and after the collision. Officials have not said whether additional charges are possible or whether they expect more evidence to be released soon.
For the cyclists and their families, the immediate focus is on the victims, the hospitalized rider and the emotional impact of a ride that ended with a fatal crash. For investigators, the work now is to determine exactly how the sequence of events unfolded on that Halloween night.
