Last updated: October 25, 2026
A red-light crash at Apple Valley Road and Yucca Loma Road in Apple Valley killed 39-year-old Theodora "Tedi" Wilson and her two children, 7-year-old Rose and 6-year-old Felix, on July 29, 2026. Driver Hendrix Arcadio Collado of Hesperia now faces vehicular manslaughter charges. Here is what happened, where the criminal case stands, and what legal rights the surviving family holds under California law.
A devastating three-vehicle collision tore through the intersection of Apple Valley Road and Yucca Loma Road at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and took the lives of three members of one Victorville family. Theodora "Tedi" Wilson, 39, and her two young children, 7-year-old Rose "Rosie" Valenzuela and 6-year-old Felix Valenzuela, died when a Dodge Caravan ran a red light and slammed broadside into their Volkswagen Tiguan. The Caravan driver, 43-year-old Hendrix Arcadio Collado of Hesperia, now faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. This guide explains exactly what happened, what charges have been filed, and what legal rights surviving family members hold under California law.
Details in this report come from the Victorville Daily Press, Victor Valley News and ABC7 Los Angeles.
What Happened at Apple Valley Road and Yucca Loma Road?
Understanding the exact mechanics of a crash like this matters when you are deciding who should be held accountable. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Apple Valley police investigators pieced together the sequence of events from witnesses and physical evidence.
Three vehicles were involved: a 2015 Dodge Caravan, a 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, and a 2019 Toyota Highlander. Hendrix Arcadio Collado, a 43-year-old Hesperia man, drove the Dodge Caravan northbound on Apple Valley Road. Witnesses and investigators state that he ran a red traffic light at the intersection.
The Caravan slammed broadside into the Volkswagen Tiguan, which was legally traveling eastbound in the No. 2 lane. The force of the impact shoved the Tiguan into the third vehicle, a Toyota Highlander that was also heading eastbound.
Multiple occupants were trapped inside the wreckage. Five ambulances responded to the scene. Firefighters worked to extricate trapped survivors from the mangled vehicles.
Tedi Wilson and her two children were riding inside the Tiguan. All three suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Two other occupants of the Tiguan, including the children's father, who was driving, sustained major, life-threatening injuries and were rushed to area hospitals.
The driver of the Dodge Caravan also suffered major injuries. The driver of the Toyota Highlander was evaluated by paramedics at the scene and did not require ambulance transport.
Law enforcement officials stated early in the investigation that impairment was suspected and that drugs and alcohol may have played a contributing role. The Apple Valley Police Department and sheriff's deputies kept the intersection closed in all directions for hours while they investigated.
If you have any information regarding this crash, investigators urge you to contact the Apple Valley Police Department at (760) 240-7400 or submit anonymous tips through the WeTip hotline at (844) 909-3096.
Who Are the Victims of the Apple Valley Crash?
The three people killed were one family. Theodora "Tedi" Wilson, 39, of Victorville, died alongside her daughter, Rose "Rosie" Valenzuela, 7, and her son, Felix Valenzuela, 6. Community fundraisers and loved ones shared their names after coroner's officials completed notifications.
The children's father was driving the Tiguan that night. He survived with major injuries and has spoken publicly about losing his wife and two children in an instant. No routine late-night drive should ever end this way.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the family cover funeral and related expenses. Neighbors, classmates, and strangers across the High Desert have contributed. When negligence takes a parent, the financial fallout lands on the survivors. A wrongful death claim exists to shift that burden back onto the person who caused it.
What Charges Does the Driver Face?
Prosecutors charged Hendrix Arcadio Collado with three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and two counts of reckless driving causing great bodily injury. He was initially booked on suspicion of driving under the influence, but prosecutors did not file DUI charges.
Collado pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on August 5, 2026. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for August 17, 2026, at the Victorville branch of the San Bernardino County Superior Court. These charges are allegations. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in criminal court.
A criminal case punishes wrongdoing on behalf of the state. It does not pay a family's medical bills, funeral costs, or lost financial support. Those losses are recovered through a separate civil claim, which proceeds on its own track and does not require a criminal conviction.
Why Are Red-Light Crashes So Deadly in California?
This crash is not an outlier. The numbers show a pattern.
Red-light violations were linked to 195 deaths and more than 1,200 severe injuries in California in 2023, and severe injuries and fatalities from intersection violations have surged 96.1% since 2013, according to the advocacy group Streets Are For Everyone.
Nationally, 1,119 people were killed in crashes involving red light running in 2024, and half of those killed were pedestrians, bicyclists, and people in other vehicles hit by the red light runners, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Intersection crashes drained more than $7.9 billion from California between 2021 and 2023 in fatality and severe-injury costs, based on CDC WISQARS cost estimates calculated by SAFE.
Behind every number is a family like Tedi Wilson's. A red light is not a suggestion. It is the law, and ignoring it is negligence.
What Legal Rights Does a Family Have After a Fatal Crash in California?
Navigating the legal system after a catastrophic collision feels overwhelming. You deserve clear answers. California law gives injured victims and grieving families powerful rights to recover compensation.
Running a red light is negligence
Vehicle Code § 21453 requires every driver to stop at a red signal. A driver who barrels through a red light and broadsides a family is negligent, and that negligence anchors every claim that follows. See Vehicle Code § 21453.
Wrongful death claims
Under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, a surviving spouse, children, and other specified family members can file a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages include funeral and burial costs, emergency medical expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of love, companionship, and guidance.
Shared fault does not bar recovery
California follows pure comparative negligence under Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal. 3d 804 (1975). Even if an insurance company argues your loved one shares some fault, you can still recover the percentage attributable to the other driver.
Deadlines that can end your claim
Personal injury and wrongful death claims generally carry a two-year deadline under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a government entity is involved, a government claim must be filed within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Miss the deadline and the claim is gone.
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What Should You Do After a Serious Car Accident?
Taking the right steps immediately following a collision safeguards your health and protects your legal claim. Follow this essential action checklist:
☑ Step 1: Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Prioritize your health above all else. Call 911 immediately, accept emergency medical transport, and let physicians document every injury.
☑ Step 2: Contact Law Enforcement
Ensure police officers file an official traffic collision report. Obtain the incident number and officer details for your records.
☑ Step 3: Document the Scene
If you are physically able, take photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and skid marks. Gather contact information from eyewitnesses.
☑ Step 4: Decline Early Insurance Recorded Statements
Insurance adjusters will call to trick you into a lowball settlement or a recorded statement. Politely decline and direct them to your attorney.
☑ Step 5: Call Fairmont Law Firm for a Free Evaluation
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?
In California, the general statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims is typically two years from the date of the incident. However, waiting jeopardizes vital evidence. Contact an experienced car accident attorney california immediately to protect your rights.
Does the criminal case affect our civil claim?
No. A wrongful death claim proceeds independently of the criminal prosecution. The family does not need a criminal conviction to recover compensation, and the standard of proof in civil court is lower than in criminal court.
What does "Zero Fee Until We Win" actually mean?
It means you have zero financial risk. We advance all costs required to investigate and litigate your case. You owe us nothing unless we successfully secure compensation for you.
Can I still recover compensation if my loved one was partially at fault?
California follows comparative negligence laws. Even if fault is shared, you may still recover damages proportional to the other party's liability. Let our experts evaluate the police report and prove total accountability.
Speak With a California Car Accident Lawyer
The tragedy in Apple Valley is a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life is on California roads. No family should ever endure the pain of losing loved ones to a driver who ran a red light.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, or rideshare accident anywhere in California's 58 counties, we are ready to fight for you. If you are searching for a dedicated personal injury lawyer california, put our experience, strength, and dedication in your corner today.
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By Ben Marmont, Fairmont Law Firm
This article is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and criminal charges are allegations until proven in court. Consult a licensed California attorney about the specifics of your situation.