Passenger killed in suspected drunk driving accident in San Bernardino – San Bernardino Sun

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A passenger was killed when a suspected drunk driver crashed her vehicle near the 210 Freeway in San Bernardino on Saturday, June 8, authorities said.

At about 7:40 p.m., the driver of a Mercedes-Benz SUV was traveling west on the highway toward the Waterman Avenue exit, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Ivan Sandoval. For reasons still under investigation, the driver failed to negotiate the curve, struck a yellow caution sign and then overturned on 30th Street.

The passenger, a woman, was thrown out.

A handful of bystanders, including Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, helped the two people involved in the accident.

Bianco was driving home from a wedding in Lake Arrowhead with his wife and was about to turn onto the highway when he heard what sounded like an explosion.

“It was bad,” he said. “(The victim) was trapped under the vehicle, definitely not in good shape.”

Many people near the crash pulled out their cell phones and began filming, said Bianco, who then called for other passersby to help the victims.

“Traffic chaos is nothing new for police,” he said. “You have to put your emotions aside and do whatever you can to help in that moment.”

My wife panicked, but in my head and heart I have this belief that you are running towards chaos, not away from it – I never think about it.”

Bystanders managed to lift the car off the victim while Bianco performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

She was taken to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

The driver, 27-year-old Shaylee Williams of San Bernardino, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily harm.

The California Highway Patrol has asked anyone with information about the accident to call Officer D. Adams at 909-383-4247.