Three people die at HARD Summer Music Festival in Fontana
Three young adults died after attending the HARD Summer Music Festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on July 30 and 31, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
One man and two women died, but the causes of death have not yet been determined, said Captain Horace Boatwright of the Fontana Sheriff’s Station.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff Coroner’s Division has released the names of the persons who died. All of them were transported from the event to different hospitals for medical attention.
• Derek Lee, 22, of San Francisco died at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center on July 31 at 12:10 a.m.
• Alyssa Dominguez, 21, of San Diego died at Kaiser Foundation Hospital of Fontana on July 31 at 2:10 a.m.
• Roxanne Ngo, 22, of Chino Hills died at Loma Linda University Medical Center on Aug. 1 at 3:04 a.m.
These deaths are being investigated individually and, at this time, are not believed to be related, the Coroner’s Division said. The cause and manner of death in all three cases are still under investigation.
Boatwright said there were a total of nine medical transports at the festival, which attracted 146,000 attendees during the two-day event.
He said there were 325 arrests, mostly for public intoxication. He said a Sheriff’s deputy arrested three men for attempting to bring methamphetamine, marijuana, and pills into the festival on July 29. There were no major reports of violence.
A total of 370 San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies were at the site, along with 240 other law enforcement personnel, Boatwright said.
Organizers of HARD Summer issued a statement on Aug. 1 which read: “We were deeply saddened to learn about the deaths of three people who attended the festival this weekend. While the causes of the deaths have not yet been determined, we ask everyone to keep them in their prayers. Our sincerest thoughts and condolences are with their family and friends.”
HARD Summer featured several prominent music artists, including headliners Ice Cube on Saturday and Major Lazer on Sunday.
This was the first year that HARD Summer was held at the speedway. The electronic music event previously took place in Pomona, but it was moved after two people died of possible drug-related causes at HARD Summer in 2015.
On the Fontana Herald News Facebook page, several persons expressed sadness over the tragic deaths.
“Sad and horrible. Bless the lives that passed away,” wrote Moises Alvarez.
In addition, some people who posted messages said that the festival should not be blamed for the deaths.
Pete Mendoza of Fontana wrote, “Things like this happen. Don’t blame the musical festival. I had a good time.”
Arturo Medina of Rancho Cucamonga said: “Bet we won’t get events like this anymore at the speedway.”
There was no announcement from promoter Live Nation as to whether the annual festival, now in its ninth year, would return to Fontana next year. HARD Summer was the largest musical event ever held in the city.
Auto Club Speedway has hosted numerous concerts over the years, but this was the first time that any persons had died at a musical event there. There have been deaths as a result of automobile crashes, involving both professional and amateur drivers, in previous years on the speedway grounds.
