Tragic Crash in Downtown Upland Results in Fatality and Injuries [Upland, CA]

UPLAND, CA (March 13, 2024) — In downtown Upland, a grave incident early on Monday led to the death of a Victorville man and injuries to two police officers. 

 

Adam Ulrich, aged 35, succumbed to his injuries at the scene after his vehicle crashed into a tree near the intersection of 9th Street and 3rd Avenue, around 1 a.m. The crash not only resulted in Ulrich’s death but also minor burn injuries to the responding Upland police officers.

 

The sequence of events began when an Upland officer attempted to stop Ulrich’s car, lacking a front license plate, as it sped westward on 9th Street at approximately 100 mph. Although the officer refrained from a high-speed pursuit, an alert was issued to nearby officers. Ulrich’s car was later seen entering the downtown area, where he lost control and collided with a tree near a historic gazebo, which sustained minor damage.

 

Upland Police Chief Marcelo Blanco detailed that the officers, despite their injuries, managed to extract Ulrich from the blazing car and attempted life-saving measures, albeit unsuccessfully. 

 

The aftermath of the Upland car crash prompted a swift cleanup by the city, with repairs to the damaged gazebo expected to be undertaken amidst ongoing downtown construction projects and in preparation for the upcoming Irish Festival.

 

Meagan Mc Lees, a city spokesperson, assured that the damage, including portions of the gazebo’s railing and its concrete base, will be addressed promptly, though the exact timing remains uncertain due to concurrent downtown enhancements and festivities.