Trending Now - Mountain Biker Dies After Rattlesnake Bite Incident

WHO:

Julian Enrique Hernandez, 25, of Costa Mesa, California

Orange County Coroner’s Office

Irvine Police Department

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)

Hernandez family

WHAT:

Julian Enrique Hernandez died on March 4, 2026, after complications from a rattlesnake bite.

Hernandez was bitten while mountain biking on February 1, 2026, at Quail Hill Trailhead.

He was hospitalized for over 30 days in critical condition.

The family initiated an independent third-party autopsy following his death.

The CDC reports that there are up to 8,000 venomous snake bites annually in the U.S., with about five resulting in death.

WHERE:

Quail Hill Trailhead, near Irvine, California

Costa Mesa, California

WHEN:

Incident occurred on February 1, 2026, at around 11 a.m. local time.

Hernandez died on March 4, 2026.

WHY:

The circumstances surrounding the rattlesnake bite remain unclear.

HOW:

Hernandez was mountain biking when he encountered the rattlesnake.

OCFA dispatched a crew to the scene, and Hernandez was transported to a nearby hospital.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 23:10 UTC)

Julian Enrique Hernandez, a 25-year-old from Costa Mesa, California, died on March 4, 2026, after suffering complications from a rattlesnake bite he received while mountain biking at Quail Hill Trailhead on February 1. Hernandez was hospitalized for over 30 days in critical condition, and his family has since requested an independent third-party autopsy to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. The CDC reports that there are up to 8,000 venomous snake bites annually in the U.S., with about five resulting in fatalities.