A motorist who allegedly fled from California Highway Patrol officers trying to catch him for illegally racing on an Inland Empire freeway and collided with a big rig, fatally injuring the trucker, was charged Wednesday with murder and other offenses.
Modesto Daniel Carpio of San Jacinto was arrested in the predawn hours Sunday following the deadly collision on the westbound Riverside (91) Freeway in Corona.
Along with murder, Carpio is charged with felony evading and engaging in an illegal speed contest.
The defendant, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail, was slated to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
“Illegal street racing is not just a crime — it’s a threat to every driver on the road,” CHP Capt. Sal Suarez said regarding the deadly crash. “This tragic loss underscores why the CHP remains committed to pursuing and prosecuting those who endanger lives through reckless behavior.”
At 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 obstructed by organizers of a 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 defendant 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 91,” 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, 55-year-old 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.
He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
There was no word regarding whether investigators had tracked down other participants in the alleged street race.
