In a quiet desert town just south of Edwards Air Force Base, a routine afternoon turned tragic on Wednesday, Dec. 10, when two longtime Rosamond residents, 80‑year‑old Richard Madril Diaz and 65‑year‑old Maria De Jesus Zuniga Rivas, lost their lives in a violent collision at the crossroads of 70th Street West and Avenue A. Both victims were confirmed dead at the scene after their SUV was broadsided in a two‑vehicle crash that stunned neighbors and sparked an ongoing California Highway Patrol investigation.
Witnesses at the rural intersection described the sound of metal and shattering glass just after 3:30 p.m., when the Honda Pilot carrying Diaz as the driver and Rivas as a passenger was struck by a Jeep Wrangler crossing its path. For reasons still under review, the two vehicles collided with such force that emergency crews initially feared worse. Authorities later confirmed that neither Diaz nor Rivas survived the impact.
The driver of the Jeep, a man whose name has not been released by CHP, was seriously injured and rushed to Antelope Valley Hospital. Officials say his condition remains guarded, and as of the latest updates, no additional details about his injuries have been shared with the public.
Investigators are combing through physical evidence from the crash site — skid marks, vehicle damage, sightlines at the intersection — in a bid to understand what went wrong. While impairment is not currently believed to be a factor, California Highway Patrol spokespeople emphasized that all possibilities, including sun glare, road conditions, and potential mechanical issues, remain part of the review until a final determination is reached.
For the close‑knit Rosamond community, the tragedy resonated deeply. Neighbors recalled Diaz and Rivas as familiar faces who never missed a chance to wave or stop for a brief chat. “They were always smiling, always out and about,” one local resident said, reflecting the shock and sorrow felt by many. Community members have since gathered at makeshift memorials near the intersection, laying flowers and candles in memory of the couple.
In the aftermath, traffic engineers and local law enforcement reiterated a familiar but urgent message: rural intersections, especially those without stoplights or clear signage, demand extra vigilance. “Please slow down and look twice before crossing,” a CHP official urged at a press briefing, highlighting that even the most familiar roads can turn dangerous in a split second.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office confirmed that post‑mortem notifications to next of kin were completed before releasing Diaz’s and Rivas’s names, a standard practice in fatal incidents. Their deaths leave behind family, friends, and neighbors grappling with loss just as the holiday season approaches. Officials say the investigation will remain open as they await toxicology reports and further analysis, promising updates if new information comes to light.
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