San Bernardino, CA (August 6, 2025) — A tragic accident involving a semi-truck and an articulated boom lift claimed the life of one man early Wednesday morning in San Bernardino.

According to reports, the collision occurred around 3:35 a.m. on July 30 at the intersection of 5th Street and North Western Avenue. Authorities say a semi-truck was traveling eastbound on 5th Street when its trailer struck an articulated boom lift that had its platform extending into the roadway.

Rafael Diaz, a 51-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, was operating the boom lift from the control box when the trailer hit the lift, fatally injuring him. He was found unresponsive in the eastbound lanes and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency crews.

The driver of the semi-truck stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Lanes on 5th Street between Herrington Avenue and Western Avenue were closed for several hours during the investigation.

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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

This report is based on preliminary findings from law enforcement and may be updated as additional information is made available.

• The deceased has been identified as Rafael Diaz, 51, of Moreno Valley.
• Investigators continue to examine the exact cause of the collision, including worksite and vehicle factors.
• Road closures in the area affected eastbound and westbound traffic for several hours.

This article is for informational use only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. All facts are based on public reports at the time of publication and may be subject to change. Individuals affected by the incident are encouraged to consult a legal professional. Learn more with our disclaimer.