Description:
On November 8, 1974, a van travelling through Baker, California on the I-15 crashed into a truck and burst into flames. The driver of the van died immediately and so did one of his passengers, a hitchhiker he had picked up. Two other passengers in the van survived.
The hitchhiker was 20-30 years old, 5’5”, and weighed 130 pounds. He may have been using the name Terence but also went by the nickname Lee. He was reportedly picked up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, but was heading to Reno, Nevada to pick up a paycheck for a dishwashing job. He also said that he was originally from Florida, but that he had recently lived in Indiana.
NamUs ID:
UP2489
Date Body Found:
November 8, 1974
Race:
White/Caucasian
Sex:
Male
Estimated Age:
20-30
Estimated PMI:
Minutes
Agency of Jurisdiction:
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
Ana Acevedo
909-387-2978
aacevedo@sbcsd.org
More Information:
https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/2489?nav
Status:
Pending
Last Updated: January 23, 2026
