Road worker killed in Highway 38 hit-and-run; 90-year-old driver arrested

A road worker died Monday after a pickup truck plowed through traffic cones into a work zone on Highway 38 near Greenway Drive in the Big Bear City area, then fled the scene. CHP Officer Anthony Suarez said responders arrived just after 7 a.m. on August 31, 2026, and found a Fire Department member already treating Edgar Chavez, 43, for major injuries at the scene^[1]. Chavez was transported to a hospital, where he later died^[1].

CHP identified the suspected driver as a 90-year-old man and arrested him at approximately 2:45 p.m. the same day, roughly seven and a half hours after the initial crash^[1]. Investigators said drugs and alcohol are not suspected as contributing factors^[1], though the full circumstances leading up to the collision remain under investigation^[1].

The incident highlights the dangers road workers face on mountain highways where speed, distraction, and unfamiliar drivers can turn a clearly marked work zone into a deadly hazard. The name of the construction company or agency employing Chavez at the time of the crash could not be confirmed, nor could comment from the suspect's legal representative or Chavez's family.

What's next: CHP's investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the collision on Highway 38 near Greenway Drive on the morning of August 31 is encouraged to contact the Big Bear area CHP office.