W e e k l y RIALTO RECORD
Vol 23, NO. 15
December 05, 2024
Street Racing Accident Claims Life of Rialto Teen, Suspect Arrested the intersection of Cactus Avenue and San Bernardino Avenue. As the two vehicles sped southbound on Cactus Avenue, Mena lost control of his car, which veered off the road and collided with a tree. Rialto Police officers arrived at the scene by 10:35 p.m., followed shortly by Rialto Fire Department paramedics. Despite their swift response, Mena was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m.
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Two passengers in Mena’s vehicle were rushed to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Perez-Villafuerte, driving a gray Ford Mustang, was located nearby and taken into custody. He was later booked into the San Bernardino County jail on a charge of vehicular manslaughter under Penal Code 192(c)(1). His bail has been set at $60,000.
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PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Jose Perez-Villafuerte, 24, of Fontana, was arrested at the scene of a fatal street racing crash in Rialto on December 1, 2024. He has been charged with vehicular manslaughter in connection to the death of 19-year-old Marcques Mena.
By Manny Sandoval
A
suspected illegal street race on Sunday night, December 1, claimed the life of a 19-year-old Rialto resident and left two others injured, according to the Rialto Police Department. The crash, which occurred on the 1400 block of South Cactus Avenue at approximately 10:32 p.m., ended in tragedy when
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one of the drivers lost control and struck a tree. The second driver was arrested at the scene. Authorities identified the victim as Marcques Mena, who was behind the wheel of a white Ford Mustang. Investigators say Mena and 24-year-old Jose Perez-Villafuerte of Fontana were involved in a street race after stopping at
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“The Rialto Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation,” said Traffic Sergeant Dan Smith. “Anyone who may have information about this incident can contact us (909) 6446025.” The deadly incident has reignited concerns about the ongoing dangers of illegal Street Racing, cont. on next pg.
San Bernardino Council Explodes Into Shouting Match as City Attorney Faces Corruption Accusations which grant only the city manager, the mayor, or a council majority the authority to place items on the agenda.
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Preliminary findings from the Rialto Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team indicate that neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to play a role in the crash. However, investigators continue to work on the case.
As of December 2024, Sonia R. Carvalho serves as the City Attorney for San Bernardino. Carvalho is a partner at Best Best & Krieger LLP (BB&K), a law firm retained by the city in August 2018 to provide municipal legal services. The BB&K team, led by Carvalho and including Thomas Rice and John Brown, was initially selected to work cooperatively with elected City Attorney Gary Saenz at that time.
PHOTO CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
City Attorney Sonia R. Carvalho defends her compliance with the Brown Act during a heated San Bernardino City Council meeting on Nov. 20, following her late arrival amid intense accusations and procedural chaos.
By Manny Sandoval
A
San Bernardino City Council meeting on Nov. 20 spiraled into chaos when Mayor Helen Tran removed a performance evaluation of City Attorney Sonia R. Carvalho from the closed session agenda. The meeting, marked by yelling, interruptions, and heated accusations, showcased deepening fractures between city leadership and staff. The meeting began at 4:05 p.m., but tensions erupted immediately as Tran announced her decision, citing procedural
violations. Carvalho was stuck in traffic, leaving her unable to address the controversy at its outset. “As mayor of San Bernardino, I have a responsibility to uphold the rules and procedures that govern our city—ensuring fairness, transparency, and adherence to the law in our council proceedings,” Tran said. “It was inappropriate of the city attorney to place her own evaluation on the agenda without following the proper process.” Tran explained her decision was rooted in the city charter and council procedures,
Heated Responses and Accusations Mayor Pro Tem Fred Shorett immediately objected, accusing Tran of acting out of personal bias. “I find it wholly inappropriate that many times we start two or three minutes late, and tonight we started with a quorum, which is legal,” Shorett said. “Then we get this written statement without the city attorney here to comment. What you’re doing here tonight is absolutely egregious, and it should not go unnoticed that this is a political vendetta.” Shorett interrupted Tran multiple times, demanding to know who had been advising her. “Who has been advising you, [Jim] Penman?” he shouted, referencing the former city attorney. The interruptions SB City Attorney, cont. on next pg.