Tragedy in Victorville: Maria Alvarado and grandfather Jose Castaneda killed in brutal Father’s Day crash
What was supposed to be a family day to celebrate Father’s Day turned into tragedy for the family of Maria Alvarado, a young Hispanic mother, just 25 years old, who lost her life in a brutal car accident in Victorville.
The worst came later, when hours later, his grandfather, don José Egildardo Castañeda, 82, also passed away, plunging his loved ones into inconsolable grief.
María Alvarado lost her life in a collision
According to reports from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the crash in which Maria Alvarado lost her life occurred on Sunday afternoon, June 15, 2025, at around 4:53 p.m.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Green Tree Boulevard and Hesperia Road when a suspected DUI driver lost control of his vehicle.
Head-on collision in Victorville
According to authorities, a Cadillac Escalade SUV traveling westbound crossed into the oncoming lane, striking the gray Acura driven by Maria Alvarado head-on.
The crash was of such magnitude that the young woman was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.
The driver of the SUV, identified as Adelanto resident Ricardo T. Dawkins, 44, was transported in critical condition to Loma Linda University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Initial investigations indicate that Dawkins was driving under the influence of alcohol or substances, the sheriff’s report confirmed.
María Alvarado: mother, daughter, sister
Maria Alvarado, a resident of Apple Valley, had just finished her workday and was returning home when the accident occurred.
She was the eldest daughter in a family of eight siblings, a young mother who leaves behind her 2-year-old daughter, who was, according to her relatives, “her whole world”.
The news devastated the local community, where Maria was loved for her kind nature, her love of family and her dreams of building a better future for her little girl.
A double family tragedy
On the same day of the accident, Maria’s grandfather, Jose Egildardo Castañeda, 82, also passed away, hitting the family doubly hard, as they now face the pain of saying goodbye to two of their loved ones in less than 24 hours.
To support the family, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched by Maria’s mother, Martha Castañeda, to raise funds to cover the expenses of both funerals and to help Maria’s little daughter in this difficult time.
The family has also asked the community to share the link and keep them in their prayers.
The accident, described by authorities as “a devastating example of the consequences of driving under the influence,” keeps the investigation closed, and anyone who witnessed the events can contact the Victorville Police Department.
What was supposed to be a family day to celebrate Father's Day turned into a double tragedy for this Hispanic family
