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1300+BIG BEAR, Calif. — A 90-year-old Big Bear Lake man is facing charges after authorities say he drove through a construction closure on State Route 38 and struck a worker before fleeing the scene. The worker later died from his injuries.
What Happened
According to a California Highway Patrol news release, the crash occurred at approximately 7:07 a.m. on August 31, 2026, on eastbound State Route 38, east of Green Way Drive in the Big Bear area.
CHP identified the driver as Donald Parker, who was traveling eastbound in a 2012 Toyota when, for reasons still under investigation, his vehicle drove through a cone pattern marking an active construction closure and struck a pedestrian working in the roadway.
The victim was identified by the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office as Edgar Chavez, 43, of Riverside. Emergency crews performed CPR at the scene and transported Chavez to Bear Valley Hospital with major injuries. He later died from those injuries.
Authorities said Parker did not stop and continued eastbound on State Route 38 after the crash.
Arrest and Charges
The crash prompted a lengthy closure of State Route 38, which did not reopen until just before 3:30 p.m. that day.
CHP’s Arrowhead Area officers took Parker into custody at approximately 2:45 p.m. on August 31, arresting him in the 41600 block of Mockingbird in Big Bear Lake.
Parker was booked on two charges:
- PC 192(a) — voluntary manslaughter
- VC 20001(a) — hit-and-run involving injury
Booking records show Parker has since been released on bail.
The CHP Inland Division Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team and Inland Division Investigative Services Unit are assisting with the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact CHP Officer D. Julien at the Arrowhead Area Office at (909) 867-2791.
Hit-and-Run Cases in San Bernardino County
Hit-and-run collisions involving construction zones raise serious questions about liability, especially when a driver leaves the scene instead of rendering aid. Under California law, fleeing the scene of an injury or fatal collision carries separate criminal exposure from the underlying crash itself, and can also affect a victim’s family’s ability to pursue civil compensation.
Families of victims killed in hit-and-run crashes in Big Bear, the High Desert, and throughout San Bernardino County can speak with the personal injury attorneys at Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer’s Victorville office to understand their legal options, including wrongful death claims against the driver and any other liable parties.
About the Author
JEFFREY FAYNGOR, ESQ.
Jeffrey Fayngor is the founder of Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer and an experienced personal injury attorney dedicated to representing accident victims. He earned his J.D. from Whittier College School of Law and has recovered over $120 million for injured clients. He has built his practice around helping injury victims protect their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.