On Interstate 15, close to Hodge Road, a man named Robert Matiran, who was 56 years old, was killed after a large truck collided with a vehicle that had been stuck. The collision was captured on graphic video footage.
On the evening of Monday, July 14, 2025, at approximately 9:10 p.m., a deadly collision took place on southbound Interstate 15 in unincorporated San Bernardino County, south of Hodge Road.
While Matiran was behind the wheel of a 2023 Honda Civic, he came to a stop in the third lane of traffic for reasons that are still being investigated.
An individual who defines himself as a news stringer, which is a type of independent cameraman who has the responsibility of documenting breaking news situations for various media sites, came across the vehicle that had become stuck and pulled over to the shoulder.
For the purpose of illuminating the disabled vehicle, the stringer turned on a floodlight that was mounted on his truck and started capturing video.
Before a 2023 Volvo tractor-trailer driven by a 47-year-old man from Washington, Pennsylvania, crashed into the stranded vehicle from behind, the camera shows many vehicles and semi-trucks just missing a collision with the vehicle that was stalled.
The force of the incident caused both vehicles to be forced across the southbound lanes and into the center median that divides the freeway, as stated in a written statement released by the Barstow Area Office of the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Matiran was pronounced dead at the spot, despite the fact that emergency personnel responded and attempted to save his life upon entering the scene. There was no injury sustained by the driver of the Volvo.
In a written statement, Captain Erich Meeker, who is the Commander of the Barstow Area of the California Highway Patrol, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were affected by the incident. We are hopeful that as this inquiry continues, we will be able to learn more about this collision and the ways in which similar occurrences and terrible loss of life might be avoided in the future.
Additionally, Meeker cautioned drivers that “The California Highway Patrol urges all motorists who need to stop to exit the freeway or pull over at the safest place available and activate the vehicle’s hazard lights.” Meeker’s statement was made in reference to the California Highway Patrol.
There has been no determination made by the investigators as to whether or not drugs or alcohol were relevant factors at this time. D. Alvarez, an officer with the California Highway Patrol’s Barstow Area Office, is continuing his investigation into the crash. Anyone who may have information is urged to get in touch with the office at the following number: (760) 255-5900.
