DATE/TIME: July 4, 2026, at 9:56 PM
INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic Crash
LOCATION: Bear Valley Road / Iroquois Road, Apple Valley, CA
DRIVER 1: Jesus Blancas, 29-year-old male, resident of Apple Valley
VEHICLE 1: Black Nissan Titan
DRIVER 2: Gary Copas, 30-year-old male, resident of Victorville (Injured)
PASSENGER: 23-year-old female, resident of Victorville (Deceased)
VEHICLE 2: Green Yamaha R7
SUMMARY:
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, at approximately 9:56 PM, deputies from the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station, rescue personnel from the Apple Valley Fire Protection District and American Medical Response (AMR) responded to a vehicle versus motorcycle crash that occurred on Bear Valley Road, west of Iroquois Road, in the town of Apple Valley.
Through investigation, deputies determined a green Yamaha R7, ridden by Gary Copas (rider) and a female passenger traveled eastbound in the number two lane of Bear Valley Road approaching Iroquois Road. A black Nissan Titan, driven by Jesus Blancas, turned eastbound into the number two lane of Bear Valley Road from 20610 Bear Valley Road in front of the Yamaha. Copas rear-ended the Nissan, and Copas and the passenger were ejected from the Yamaha. Copas and the passenger suffered major injuries and were transported to local hospitals by ambulance. The passenger later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Copas remains hospitalized in critical condition.
An investigator from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Major Accident Investigative Team (M.A.I.T) arrived and is conducting the investigation. Bear Valley Road was closed between the intersections of Itoya Vista Road and Iroquois Road for approximately four hours while deputies processed the scene for evidence and attempted to locate witnesses.
Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact the Apple Valley Police Station at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 844-909-3006, text REPORT to 844-909-3006, or provide information at the link: https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
Refer: Deputy T. Arlotti
Station: Apple Valley M.A.I.T.
Phone No: (760) 240-7400
Case No. 182603943
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
