Two Cyclists Killed, Two Injured in Montclair, California Hit-and-Run; Driver Arrested on DUI and Manslaughter Allegations, Police Say

Montclair police said a westbound driver struck a self-coordinated Halloween ride of about 30 cyclists head-on on Kingsley Street at Tudor Avenue at about 10:39 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, then fled, dragging one victim more than a mile. One rider died at the scene and a woman died in hospital at 1:19 a.m. Sunday; two others were injured. Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, 38, was arrested at his home at about 2:40 a.m. and booked on DUI, felony hit-and-run and gross vehicular manslaughter allegations, which have not been proven in court.

Awaaz Punjab Investigations Desk25 October 20263 min readRead in all 3 languages

MONTCLAIR, California — A westbound driver struck a group of about 30 cyclists head-on in Montclair late on Saturday night, October 24, killing two riders and injuring two others before fleeing the scene, the Montclair Police Department said in a press release reported by BikingInLA. Police said one victim was dragged more than a mile before their body was dislodged in a residential neighbourhood.

Source: BikingInLA, reporting a Montclair Police Department press release

The group was taking part in a self-coordinated Halloween ride and was riding east on Kingsley Street at Tudor Avenue at about 10:39 p.m. when it was struck, police said. KTLA reported the collision happened just before 11 p.m. south of the 10 Freeway, with bicycles scattered across the street at the scene and a car with severe front-end damage found about a mile away.

Source: KTLA, reported by Dispatch Times

One cyclist died at the scene, and a woman taken to hospital died at 1:19 a.m. on Sunday, police said. Two other riders were injured: one was in stable condition with major injuries, and another suffered a gash to the head but declined treatment against medical advice. Police had not released the victims' identities in the reporting available. ABC7 Eyewitness News, reporting earlier on Sunday before the arrest was announced, said police were searching for the driver and had asked anyone with information to come forward.

Source: ABC7 Eyewitness News, reported by US Times Mirror

Detectives identified the driver, and Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, 38, was arrested at his home at about 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, police said. He was booked at the West Valley Detention Center on allegations of driving under the influence causing injury or death, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher causing injury or death, felony hit-and-run involving death or permanent, serious injury, and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, according to the police release. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Police stressed that the Halloween ride was not sponsored, organized or affiliated with the City of Montclair. The investigation is continuing.

Sources

Montclair Police Department press release, reported by BikingInLA — Montclair Halloween ride hit-and-run, Kingsley St/Tudor Ave, Oct. 24-25, 2026: https://bikinginla.com/?p=62702

KTLA reporting, via Dispatch Times — Two cyclists killed as alleged hit-and-run driver drags victim, Oct. 25, 2026: https://dispatchtimes.com/two-cyclists-killed-as-alleged-hit-and-run-driver-drags-victim/

ABC7 Eyewitness News reporting, via US Times Mirror — Hit-and-run driver sought after group of bicyclists struck in Montclair, Oct. 25, 2026: https://ustimesmirror.com/hit-and-run-driver-sought-after-group-of-bicyclists-reportedly-struck-in-montclair/