Driver Killed At Clandestine Off-Road Event ID'd As La Quinta Man

Palm Desert CA

14 December, 2020

5:19 PM

Description

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CA — Authorities Monday identified a 19-year-old La Quinta resident who was killed when the off-road vehicle he was driving crashed in an unincorporated area of Antelope Valley in Los Angeles County over the weekend during an event, critically injuring a passenger. The crash occurred near 233rd Street East, just north of Avenue U, in Llano, about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the California Highway Patrol, which reported that "alcohol and/or drugs are suspected to be a factor in this collision." Cristian Lopez died at the scene, according to the coroner's office and the CHP. Lopez was driving a 2016 Polaris Razor XP900 on a dirt field when he turned the vehicle sharply to the left, causing it to overturn, the CHP reported. A passenger, 35-year-old Aaron Iribe of Oakland, suffered major injuries and was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital, according to the CHP. According to multiple news reports, at least a thousand people were at the Llano off-roading event, despite state orders banning large gatherings.