Victorville / San Bernardino County, California — A promising young college basketball player with dreams of reaching the WNBA has died after the vehicle she was riding in plunged approximately 80 feet down an embankment on the I-15 freeway in the Cajon Pass.

Jhenéy Wallace (also referred to as Jheney Harris in some official reports), 20, of Victorville, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that occurred on Wednesday, July 15. The stretch of road is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous sections of highway in California due to its steep grades and history of serious accidents.

Wallace attended Victor Valley Community College, where she competed on the women’s basketball team. Her mother, Tamara Wallace, paid an emotional tribute to her daughter, describing her as “my best friend, my first-born.”

“She was a great daughter… Always kept me smiling and encouraged me to do things. She was the best sister to her little sister and brother, very bubbly, always happy and loving,” Tamara said.

The Victor Valley basketball program issued a statement mourning the loss of their teammate. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the family with funeral and service expenses, raising more than $14,500 toward its goal.

Details surrounding the cause of the crash remain limited as the investigation continues. The sudden loss of a young athlete with so much potential has left her family, teammates, and the local community heartbroken.

Sources:

• Wide Open Country (July 19, 2026)
• San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department press release
• KTLA5