For the first time since losing her step son in a crash on Highway 74, Tina Bourgeois is speaking publicly about the changes she says must happen to protect other families from the same heartbreak.
Tina’s step son, Tristan Bourgeois, died in a tragic accident on the winding mountain road. Now, she’s turning her pain into action, supporting legislation being introduced by Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez and Assemblyman Greg Wallis aimed at bringing safety regulations to the stretch of highway.
“I feel it’s necessary to be the voice for Tristan,” she said in an emotional interview on NBC Palm Springs. “We’re just like a ticking time bomb for this to happen to another family.”
Highway 74 has long been considered dangerous, particularly for heavy trucks that use the narrow, curving road as a shortcut from San Diego. Tina and others are calling for common-sense safety measures that would restrict the types of trucks allowed on the route—especially overloaded vehicles that often bypass weigh stations and law enforcement.
She’s also encouraging the public to take action. “We need people to continue signing our petition on change.org and to submit letters of support for AB 1145 through the California Legislature’s online portal,” Tina said.
Her advocacy isn’t about banning all trucks. “We’re not against truck drivers. We support them,” she emphasized. “We just want to ban the ones that are too heavy, the ones that aren’t supposed to be there. And we want enforcement out there. Right now, there’s none.”
Tina shared a recent video of a truck dangerously cutting off a school bus on Highway 74. She called 911 and hoped the driver would be stopped—but nothing happened. “Where was CHP on April 14th for those kids?” she asked, holding up a picture of her son. “This is my favorite photo of Tristan, just peaceful, living his best life. I look at it every day before I go to work.”
She says she’s doing all of this for Tristan’s children—his daughter Kyla and son Gregory—and to prevent another family from experiencing what hers has.
A hearing on the proposed legislation is expected to take place in Sacramento, where Tina and other supporters hope their voices will be heard loud and clear.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
April 17, 2025
