On Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 10:32 p.m. Rialto Police Department Communications Center received the report of a single-vehicle collision. Officers arrived on the scene at approximately 10:35 p.m. Rialto Fire Department arrived minutes later and located the driver of a white Ford Mustang, Marcques Mena suffering from life-threatening injuries. Rialto Fire Department Paramedics pronounced Mena deceased at 10:45 p.m. Two other passengers in the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
The initial investigation indicates Mena was south on Cactus Ave and stopped at the intersection of San Bernardino Ave. A second vehicle, a gray Ford Mustang, driven by Jose Perez-Villafuerte approached. Both vehicles engaged in an illegal speed contest (street race) southbound on Cactus Ave. While both vehicles continued at a high rate of speed, Mena lost control of his vehicle and collided into a tree. The driver of the gray Mustang Jose Perez-Villafuerte was located and taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing, but it did not appear alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision.
Jose Perez-Villafuerte was booked into a San Bernardino County jail for Penal Code 192(c)(1), Vehicular Manslaughter with a $60,000 bail.
The Rialto Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation. Anyone who may have information about this incident can contact Traffic Sergeant Dan Smith at (909) 644-6025. Witnesses can also anonymously report information through WeTip at (800) 782-7463, reference case #932413365.