Driver swerved off State Route 2 and hit guardrail before vehicle overturned
January 24, 2026 | Phelan, CA
A tragic single-vehicle accident on Highway 138 in Phelan resulted in one fatality, two injuries, and the arrest of 31-year-old Salvador Robles Lopez from Lancaster on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence.
Salvador Robles Lopez, 31, of Lancaster, was arrested following a crash causing one death and two injuries near state routes 138 and 2 in Phelan.
What Happened in the Crash?
The collision took place near the intersection of State Route 138 and State Route 2. According to the California Highway Patrol Victorville Area Office, Lopez was operating a silver Honda HR-V westbound around 3 a.m. on Jan. 24 when he veered right, hit a metal guardrail, and caused the SUV to flip over.
- Location: Highway 138 near State Route 2, Phelan, CA
- Date and Time: Early morning, Jan. 24
- Vehicle Involved: Silver Honda HR-V
- Driver: Salvador Robles Lopez, 31, from Lancaster
- Outcome: One female passenger deceased at the scene, and two other passengers hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries
- Arrest: Lopez detained at the scene and booked at High Desert Detention Center on charges including vehicular manslaughter and DUI
The investigation by CHP is ongoing to determine further factors.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Impaired driving, whether from alcohol or drugs, severely affects reaction times and decision-making, leading to devastating consequences. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that from 2012 to 2021, an average of 10,850 lives were lost annually in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.
Year Range |
Average Annual Fatalities |
Source |
|---|
2012-2021 |
10,850 |
NHTSA |
Common Causes |
Impaired Driving, Speeding, Distracted Operation (Federal Highway Administration) |
Even subtle impairment can escalate risks on roadways like Highway 138, known for its challenging terrain.
Legal Insights
National legal analysts emphasize the importance of thorough investigations in impaired driving incidents to uncover all contributing elements, such as blood-alcohol levels.
“In cases such as this, drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs face criminal charges when their actions result in harm or loss of life,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “Beyond criminal proceedings, affected families may seek civil remedies to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.”
- Independent investigations are essential for identifying impairment and other factors.
- Civil actions can address losses like medical costs, emotional distress, and companionship.
- Attorneys play a vital role in advocating for victims' rights and holding impaired drivers accountable.
“Wrongful death occurs when negligence, such as driving under the influence, leads to a fatality,” noted Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “Families often pursue claims for funeral expenses, pain, and suffering following such crashes.”
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Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(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).