MONTCLAIR, CA – Authorities in San Bernardino County are conducting an intensive manhunt following a deadly crash and suspected kidnapping that left one person dead and another missing early Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred just after 12:30 a.m. in the 9700 block of Benson Avenue in Montclair, according to the Montclair Police Department. Officers responding to reports of a vehicle collision discovered a crash scene near the campus of Buena Vista Arts-Integrated Magnet School, where a vehicle had struck a tree.
Upon arrival, police found one victim unresponsive at the scene. The individual was immediately transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity pending family notification.
A second occupant of the vehicle was missing from the crash site, leading investigators to believe they may have been forcibly taken from the scene. The whereabouts of this individual remain unknown, prompting an urgent search operation across the region.
The Montclair Police Department has requested assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies in San Bernardino County as the investigation expands. Authorities are working to determine the circumstances that led to both the fatal crash and the suspected abduction.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residential security cameras to identify potential suspects and vehicles involved in the incident. Police have not released a description of the suspect or suspects they are seeking.
The area surrounding the crash site was cordoned off for several hours as crime scene investigators collected evidence. Benson Avenue was temporarily closed to traffic during the initial investigation but has since reopened.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Montclair Police Department immediately. Authorities emphasized that tips can be provided anonymously and may be crucial to locating the missing victim.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with multiple law enforcement agencies coordinating their efforts to locate the missing individual and apprehend those responsible.
