The community of Desert Hot Springs is grieving after a young man was tragically killed in a traffic collision late Friday evening. The California Highway Patrol confirmed that 20-year-old Juan Mejia Calvillo Jr., a local resident, died after being struck by a vehicle while riding his skateboard along Mountain View Road near Dillon Road. The heartbreaking incident occurred on December 5 around 6:18 p.m., just north of Brunner Road, in an area where visibility is often limited after sundown.
According to CHP, the first 911 calls came through the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and reported that a vehicle had struck a person on the right-hand shoulder of the roadway. When emergency crews arrived, they found Calvillo critically injured, with two bystanders standing nearby. Despite immediate efforts by Cal Fire and medical personnel to save his life, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The confirmation of his death came shortly before 7 p.m., prompting investigators to close Mountain View Road in both directions.
CHP logs indicate that the driver who hit Calvillo called authorities himself and remained at the scene, cooperating with officers. Early rumors circulating among residents suggested the crash may have involved a shooting, but investigators quickly ruled that out. Officials emphasized that this was strictly a traffic collision and that no gun-related activity had occurred. That clarification brought some relief to neighbors but did little to ease the sorrow surrounding the young man’s death.
As officers began piecing together the events leading to the crash, a clearer and more troubling picture emerged. Detectives determined that the driver had attempted to illegally pass a slower-moving vehicle by crossing over double yellow lines—an unsafe and prohibited maneuver. It was during that attempt that the vehicle struck Calvillo, who was traveling on his skateboard along the shoulder. Whether speed, impairment, or distraction played additional roles remains under investigation, and CHP has not announced any arrests or citations at this time.
Mountain View Road remained shut down for hours while investigators documented the scene, interviewed witnesses, and gathered evidence. The collision’s location—a busy stretch with limited lighting—has raised concerns among locals who say the road has seen several close calls in recent years. Many in the community are now calling for enhanced safety measures and clearer signage to prevent further tragedies.
As family and friends mourn the loss of Juan Mejia Calvillo Jr., authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage to contact CHP. The investigation is ongoing, and officials hope additional information will help provide clarity—and accountability—in the wake of a young life cut far too short.
