Full Notification

On Saturday, January 18^th, 2020, at approximately 6:31 p.m., the Rialto Police Department received several 9-1-1 calls reporting a traffic collision at the intersection of Riverside Ave. and Alder Ave. in the City of Rialto. Officers from the Rialto Police Department and personnel from the Rialto Fire Department responded to the scene and found a deceased male lying in the road and five injured occupants in a gray Kia Optima. The injured occupants of the Kia Optima were transported to the local trauma centers for treatment of their injuries. The deceased male was transported to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office.

The Rialto Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is conducting the collision investigation. Through roadway evidence and witness statements, investigators have been able to conclude that Louie Cholico, a 29 year old resident of Rialto, was driving a white Acura MVX southbound on Riverside Ave. at extremely high speeds toward the intersection with Alder Ave. The Kia Optima was stopped facing north in the northbound left turn only lane obeying a red arrow. Two non-involved vehicles were stopped facing south on Riverside Ave in the #1 and #2 southbound lanes obeying a red signal at Alder Ave. As the driver of the Kia Optima was waiting for her arrow to turn green, Cholico failed to slow for the southbound red signal and was forced to turn left into the center median to avoid rear-ending the two non-involved vehicles. This unsafe turning movement caused Cholico to lose control of his Acura and collide head-on with Kia Optima. This impact forced the Kia backwards causing it to crash into two vehicles that were traveling northbound on Riverside Ave. toward Alder Ave. After crashing into the Kia, Cholico’s Acura slid in a southwest direction where it struck and jumped the west curb of Riverside Ave. causing the Acura to roll over and strike three large trees. During the Acura’s roll, Cholico was fully ejected out of the Acura causing his fatal injuries. The four passengers of the Kia, ages 2 to 16 years old, sustained complaint of pain injuries only. The driver of the Kia suffered serious injuries and is in stable condition. No other injuries were reported.

The Rialto Police Department is asking for anyone who may have information related to this incident to please call the Rialto Police Department’s Traffic Division at (909) 421-4981 or anonymously through WeTip at (800) 782-7463. Please reference RPD case number 932000536.