Devastating DUI Crash on State Route 18 Injures 1 Person [Apple Valley, CA]

Passenger Critical, Kaleb Elijah Hodge Arrested After DUI Crash on State Route 18 in Apple Valley

Apple Valley, CA (July 26, 2024) – On Thursday, a female passenger sustained critical injuries in a DUI crash on State Route 18.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. near State Route 18, close to Horseman’s Center Park in San Bernardino County.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers and emergency personnel arrived at the scene, identifying the individuals involved as 22-year-old Kaleb Elijah Hodge from Barstow and a 20-year-old female passenger from Apple Valley.

Initial investigations revealed that Hodge was driving a 2007 Cadillac DTS with the female passenger. 

They were traveling on Bear Valley Road, approaching SR-18, when Hodge made a right turn onto SR-18 and immediately pulled to the right dirt shoulder. 

He then made an unlawful U-turn, resulting in a collision with a 2016 Kia Optima driven by a 26-year-old male from Lucerne Valley. The Cadillac’s left front hit the Kia’s right rear.

After the collision, Hodge fled westbound on SR-18. Shortly after, around 7:35 p.m., he was involved in a second crash. 

While driving on the dirt shoulder near Horseman’s Center, he lost control of the vehicle, which overturned. 

This crash led to the ejection of the female passenger, who was critically injured and airlifted to Loma Linda Medical Center. 

Hodge, who remained in the vehicle, extricated himself before emergency personnel arrived.

CHP officers suspected alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash. Hodge was arrested and transported to a local hospital before being booked into the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto. 

He faces charges of DUI causing bodily injury (VC23153(A)) and DUI with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more causing bodily injury (VC23153(B)). His bail is set at $250,000, and he is scheduled for arraignment on July 29, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. in a Victorville courtroom.

The CHP Victorville area office is handling the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the office at 760-241-1186.

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The recent incident in Apple Valley, where a driver’s reckless actions led to two collisions and critically injured a passenger, underscores the profound impact such accidents can have on victims and their families.

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