Illegal Freeway Racing Leads To Trucker's Death In Corona: CHP

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A motorist suspected of fleeing from California Highway Patrol officers trying to catch him for illegally racing on an Inland Empire freeway collided with a truck in Corona, fatally injuring the 55-year-old trucker and injuring the victim's passenger, authorities said Monday.

Modesto Daniel Carpio of San Jacinto was arrested and booked Sunday into the Robert Presley Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder and felony evading.

"Illegal street racing is not just a crime — it's a threat to every driver on the road," CHP Capt. Sal Suarez said. "This tragic loss underscores why the CHP remains committed to pursuing and prosecuting those who endanger lives through reckless behavior."

Carpio was being held in lieu of $1 million bail. His case was expected to be submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for review.

About 11:50 p.m. Saturday, motorists on the eastbound Pomona (60) Freeway near Euclid Avenue in Ontario called 911 to report several freeway lanes being obstructed by organizers of an illegal street race, according to the CHP.

Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said patrol vehicles reached the location moments later, at which point Carpio was quickly identified as one of the alleged racers, prompting a patrol unit to signal him to pull over.

Jimenez said the suspect floored his Infiniti sports car, attempting to elude the unit, heading south into Riverside County via Interstate 15.

"Carpio accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 mph and transitioned onto the westbound Riverside (91) Freeway," Jimenez said. "While fleeing at high speed, the Infiniti collided with a semi-truck hauling a trailer east of Lincoln Avenue. The impact forced the semi into a freeway sound wall and ejected the driver."

The victim, Stephen Palacios of Rancho Cucamonga, was found in grave condition by Corona Fire Department paramedics. He was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he died an hour later.

His passenger, whose identity was not disclosed, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the same hospital. He's expected to recover.

Carpio, who was alone in the Infiniti, was not hurt. He was taken into custody without further incident and booked into jail.

Background information on the suspect was unavailable.

There was no word on whether investigators had tracked down the other participants in the illegal street race.