Fatal DUI crash on Kiowa Road leaves one dead, suspect arrested
APPLE VALLEY, CA, (September 20, 2025) - A suspected DUI collision in Apple Valley left one person dead and another injured early Saturday night. The crash occurred around 11:36 p.m. in the 11200 block of Kiowa Road near Caribou Avenue.
Authorities reported that a suspected impaired driver rear-ended another vehicle late Saturday night in Apple Valley, resulting in one fatality and one injury.
Officials reported that a white Nissan sedan struck a white Hummer SUV from behind, causing it to leave the road and crash into a wooden utility pole and chain-link fence. The vehicles sustained significant damage.
Two men in the Hummer were taken to local hospitals, with one later dying from his injuries at St. Mary’s Medical Center. The driver of the Nissan, 23-year-old Exon Daniel Herrera-Hernandez, was arrested on multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Authorities continue to investigate the crash.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Drunk driving continues to claim lives on U.S. roads, despite widespread awareness campaigns, tough laws and devastating statistics. The tragedy is that these deaths are entirely preventable. One person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 42 minutes in the United States in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.
An independent investigation will be required to learn other potential factors in the case, including the results of a test or tests to determine the blood-alcohol content levels of the driver.
“Drunken and drugged drivers are subject to criminal charges following an accident or collision that causes harm or kills another person,” explained Candice Bond, a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “Separate from criminal charges, the family of a victim may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party,” said Bond.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that drunk drivers are held accountable for their reckless actions,” added Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the victim’s family may have the right to file a wrongful death claim to recover expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
“Wrongful death occurs when a person or entity’s negligent or intentional actions directly cause someone’s death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“In cases where a fatal vehicle accident is caused by unsafe, distracted, aggressive, or impaired driving, the deceased’s family often has the option to pursue a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver.”
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If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).