Can-Am accident on Caughlin Road north of Dos Palmas Road
PHELAN, CA, (August 29, 2025) - A teen tragically died Friday evening in a crash involving a Can-Am all-terrain vehicle and a Toyota Corolla in Phelan.
Max Marquez Pulido, 17, was riding the off-road vehicle when it collided with the Toyota at about 6:38 p.m. along Caughlin Road just north of Dos Palmas Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Pulido was taken to a hospital, where he later died. Two other people from the vehicles were transported with unspecified injuries.
Authorities arrested the 28-year-old Toyota driver from Hesperia on suspicion of DUI. He faces multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and is being held on $250,000 bail.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for Pulido’s funeral expenses. The crash remains under investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Drunk driving isn't just reckless—it's deadly, claiming 34 lives daily in the United States. All those deaths are preventable. In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (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.
Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney, was interviewed and provided her thoughts on incidents such as this one.
“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,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Max Marquez Pulido may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for medical and funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when a person or entity commits a negligent or wrongful act resulting in someone’s death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members often have the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
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).