Big Bear Lake driver arrested after road worker killed on Highway 38

A Riverside man working on State Highway 38 was struck and killed Monday, and the driver — a Big Bear Lake resident — was arrested at the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The fatal collision occurred on Monday, August 31, 2026, along Highway 38, a main artery connecting Big Bear Valley to the Inland Empire^[1]. The victim, whose name had not been publicly released as of this report, was working on the highway at the time he was struck. The Big Bear Lake driver was taken into custody following the collision, the CHP confirmed^[1].

Further details — including what charges the driver faces, the exact location of the crash along Highway 38, and the precise circumstances of the collision — could not be confirmed from available information. The driver's perspective and any legal representation have not been publicly identified, and Big Bear News will seek comment from those parties as this story develops.

Highway 38 runs through some of the most active construction and maintenance corridors in the San Bernardino Mountains, and the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers road workers face on mountain highways.

Residents are asked to slow down and observe posted speed limits and signage in all active work zones. For updates on this case, follow California Highway Patrol's San Bernardino area reports or check back with Big Bear News as more details become available.