Five-Year-Old Big Bear Lake Boy Killed in Hit-and-Run Collision After Family Outing to the Lake; Sheriff’s Investigators Seeking Information on SUV

A walk home from the lake yesterday evening turned deadly for the 5-year-old son of the Bhandari family of Big Bear Lake, due to a hit-and-run collision on Lakeview Drive. Per the press release issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department: “The three victims, a mother and her two children, were crossing Lakeview Drive at the intersection of Bartlett Road, near Pine Knot, in Big Bear Lake when they were struck by an approaching vehicle that was traveling westbound on Lakeview Drive. The victims were returning home after playing at the lake and were crossing the street when struck. The vehicle came to a brief stop after striking the victims, but then sped off heading westbound on Lakeview Drive towards Hwy 18/Big Bear Boulevard. The mother [32-year-old Sujana Bhandari] and the 11-year-old son [Kushal] sustained serious injuries and were flown by air ambulance to Loma Linda University Hospital in Loma Linda and are expected to recover. The 5-year-old male [Kushan] sustained major injuries and was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at Bear Valley Community Hospital. The involved vehicle is described as an older model GMC or Chevy two-door Tahoe, possibly model year 1999 or 2000, dark in color with tinted windows. The vehicle is expected to have moderate damage to the front end. Anyone with any information regarding this vehicle is encouraged to call the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at 866-0100 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 387-8313. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or on their website at wetip.com. Agencies involved in this investigation include the Big Bear Sheriff’s Department, Big Bear Lake Fire Department, Big Bear City Fire Department, Mercy Air, and members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Major Accident Investigation Team.” To see our initial posting on this incident, click here.