Police: Wrong-way crash kills 9-year-old, hurts teen girl
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA, (July 31, 2025) - A suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way in Antelope Valley on Wednesday evening caused a head-on accident that killed a 9-year-old boy and seriously hurt a 14-year-old girl, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Israel Mendoza, 9, died in a two-vehicle crash involving a suspected drunk driver Wednesday evening in Antelope Valley, according to authorities.
The young boy has been identified as Israel Mendoza.
Preliminary reports indicate that 23-year-old Christian Terrell Powell was driving a 2019 Dodge Challenger southbound on 200th Street East when he veered into the northbound lane and struck a 2025 Honda head-on. The Honda was being driven by a 19-year-old Lancaster resident.
Inside the Honda were two passengers—Mendoza and the teen girl—who both suffered severe injuries. Mendoza sadly died as a result of the crash.
Powell, a Victorville resident, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and is currently being held at the sheriff’s Lancaster station, according to jail records.
The investigation is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
The federal government has taken extensive measures to highlight the perils of impaired driving; however, far too many drivers continue to drink and drive. The deaths or life-changing injuries that occur as a result of drunk driving are all preventable. Over the 10-year period from 2012 to 2021, about 10,850 people died each year in drunk driving car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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
Pending the results of the investigation, the family of Israel Mendoza may be entitled to a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for medical and funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
“A death is considered wrongful when it is caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another individual or entity,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“When a fatality results from dangerous behavior such as drunk driving, speeding, or other unsafe actions behind the wheel, families may have the right to pursue a civil case against the at-fault driver to hold them accountable.”
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).