Redlands, CA (June 11, 2026) – A 73-year-old Redlands motorcyclist died after a hit-and-run crash on Highway 38 between Amethyst and Garnet streets on Tuesday evening, according to police.
Redlands police were called to the crash around 5:30 p.m. Authorities said the motorcyclist collided with another vehicle and was thrown from his motorcycle.
Police said fuel leaked from the damaged motorcycle and caught fire, setting both the motorcycle and the rider on fire. Bystanders tried to help, worked to put out the flames, and someone performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The other driver left the scene without checking on the rider, police said. Investigators described the vehicle as a gold or tan four-door sedan that was last seen heading east on Highway 38. Witnesses reported major damage to the driver’s side of the car.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Where the Crash Happened: Highway 38 between Amethyst and Garnet streets
The reported location is a stretch of Highway 38 between Amethyst and Garnet streets in Redlands. Highway corridors can carry a mix of through traffic and local access, with drivers entering, exiting, or turning near intersecting streets.
That setting matters because investigators may need to examine how each vehicle approached the area, where the contact occurred, and how the suspect vehicle continued east afterward. The named cross streets also give police a defined area for checking nearby witnesses, businesses, traffic cameras, or residential security footage.
What We Know
- The crash happened June 9 around 5:30 p.m.
- Redlands police responded to Highway 38 between Amethyst and Garnet streets.
- The victim was a 73-year-old Redlands resident.
- Police said the motorcyclist collided with another vehicle.
- The rider was ejected from the motorcycle.
- Fuel leaked from the damaged motorcycle and caught fire.
- Bystanders helped put out the flames, and someone performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
- The motorcyclist was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.
- The other driver fled the scene without checking on the victim, according to police.
- Police described the suspect vehicle as a gold or tan four-door sedan.
- The vehicle was last seen heading east on Highway 38.
- Witnesses said the sedan had major damage to the driver’s side.
- Anyone with information was asked to call Redlands Police Dispatch at 909-798-7681.
Why Motorcycle Fires Add Urgency After a Crash
A motorcycle crash can become even more dangerous when fuel leaks and ignites after impact. In this case, police said the damaged motorcycle caught fire after the collision, creating an immediate hazard for the rider and for bystanders trying to help before emergency crews arrived.
The fire also adds another layer to the investigation. Burn damage may affect how officers document the motorcycle, identify impact points, and compare the rider’s bike with the damage reported on the fleeing sedan. Investigators will need to separate evidence from the collision itself from damage caused after the fuel ignited.
How this crash is investigated
For Redlands police, identifying the hit-and-run vehicle is a central part of the case. The reported description gives investigators several details to work with: a gold or tan four-door sedan, eastbound travel on Highway 38, and major damage to the driver’s side.
Detectives may review debris, vehicle paint transfer, roadway evidence, witness statements, nearby video, and repair-shop or tow records for a car matching that description. Because police have not released a final cause, the investigation should remain focused on confirmed evidence rather than assumptions about why the vehicles collided.
What to do after a fatal crash in California
After a fatal crash, the official report can help families and other parties of interest understand what investigators documented after the scene response, witness follow-up, and evidence review.
In California, crash reports are handled by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) — for crashes CHP investigated (freeways/state hwys/unincorporated). Local PD for city streets. The official portal is the CHP Crash Portal — crashes.chp.ca.gov; or CHP 190 form by mail/in person. The report forms listed for California are CHP 555 (report); CHP 190 (request).
California’s listed report fee is Online portal $22; mail/in-person $10 per 25 pages (CHP). Reports are available after officer files; portal shows when ready. Reports may be requested by a party of interest: driver, passenger, vehicle/property owner, parent/guardian, legal/insurance rep (VC 20012). California reports are not public — restricted to parties of interest (no fixed day window).
The Redlands motorcyclist’s death remains under investigation, and additional details may be released if police identify the driver or vehicle involved.
Local Accident Reports compiles incident information from official agencies and credible local sources. Details from initial reports may be updated as official investigations conclude. If you have direct knowledge that any information here is inaccurate, please contact us so we can review and correct the record.
