SUSPECTED DUI DRIVER LATER DIES AT HOSPITAL

Published: 10/10/2025

SUSPECTED DUI DRIVER LATER DIES AT HOSPITAL

RIVERSIDE, CA - Around 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, a Riverside Police Officer assigned to the Field Operations Division observed a vehicle run a red light at Garfield Street and Van Buren Boulevard. The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver, who exhibited behaviors of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

The driver, later identified as 32-year-old Jose Luis Serrano Jr. of Riverside, was detained and handcuffed, and the officer soon after requested medical aid due to his apparent level of intoxication. During the contact, Mr. Serrano Jr. admitted to having ingested methamphetamine earlier.

Firefighter-Paramedics from the Riverside Fire Department provided medical aid to Mr. Serrano Jr., who was then transported by ambulance to a local hospital. While receiving treatment, his condition deteriorated. Despite lifesaving efforts by medical staff, Mr. Serrano Jr. died at the hospital at approximately 12:30 a.m.

Detectives assigned to our Robbery-Homicide Unit, along with Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff's Force Investigations Detail, responded and assumed the investigation. They have been assisted by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Office. The exact cause of death is still pending the Coroner's investigation and toxicology results.

This investigation is being led by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's Force Investigations Detail. Anyone with additional information should contact Riverside Sheriff's Investigator David Sandoval at (951) 955-2777 or [email protected], or Riverside Police Detective Mike Smith at (951) 353-7103 or [email protected].