Accused drunk driver flees, leaving badly injured passenger to die, California cops say

A 33-year-old woman died after being abandoned by an accused drunk driver following a solo crash, California police reported.

Emergency crews responding to the crash at 8:20 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, tried to save Rachel Martin of Rialto but she died at the scene, police said in a Saturday, Feb. 22, news release.

The driver of the white 2021 Ford Mustang ran away after crashing into several trees, leaving the badly injured Martin, his passenger, to die, police said.

Officers later arrested Joshua Cardenas, 28, of Rialto, on a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, police said. He’s being held on $100,000 bail.

Police said Cardenas drove through an intersection at 85 mph before hitting the trees.

Investigators ask anyone with information on the fatal crash to call traffic Sgt. Dan Smith at 909-644-6025.

Rialto is about a 55-mile drive east from Los Angeles.

This story was originally published February 23, 2025 at 1:16 PM with the headline "Accused drunk driver flees, leaving badly injured passenger to die, California cops say."