Victorville man dies in crash after running over wife, police say

A Victorville man ran over his wife with his SUV during an argument and then was killed as he sped away and crashed through a highway guardrail in San Bernardino County, authorities said.

Kenneth Amaya Jr., 34, apparently lost control of his vehicle Saturday afternoon and was ejected as it rolled down an embankment on Interstate 15 near Hesperia, said Susan Rose, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Amaya, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The name of Amaya's wife was not released because she was a victim of domestic violence, Rose said. She was airlifted to Arrowhead Medical Center in critical condition with extensive injuries but was able to talk, Rose said. Her condition Tuesday could not be confirmed.

Witnesses said Amaya and his wife had pulled the GMC Yukon to the side of the road by Main Street in Hesperia and were fighting when he jumped back into the vehicle, ran her over and drove off.

Authorities then began searching for Amaya in what was then considered an attempted murder case; they did not know his whereabouts until his fatal crash.

ALSO:

New Natalie Wood death probe said to be inconclusive

First a noose, now a swastika found on Davis school campuses

Tom Cruise 'pleased' by quick divorce settlement with Katie Holmes

-- Larry Gordon