A horrific collision on Saturday evening has left a motorcyclist dead and six van occupants injured in San Bernardino County.
Unveiling the Sequence of Events
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the incident unfolded around 6:10 p.m. on State Highway 18 near Quinnault Road in Apple Valley.
Deputies from the Apple Valley sheriff’s station responded to the scene, where they discovered a motorcycle had violently collided with a van in the intersection.
The Tragic Loss of Life
“A white Toyota Sienna traveling northbound on Quinnault Road was making a left turn on State Highway 18 [when] the motorcyclist broadsided the van,” authorities described.
The impact of the collision was devastating. The motorcyclist, identified as 39-year-old Matthew Hicks of Apple Valley, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at a local hospital.
Van Occupants Receive Medical Attention
Meanwhile, all six occupants of the van were immediately transported to local hospitals. One juvenile passenger suffered severe injuries and required airlifting to a nearby trauma center.
Unraveling the Cause
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Major Accident Investigation Team has embarked on a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
They are urging any witnesses or individuals with information about the accident to contact the Apple Valley sheriff’s station at 760-240-7400. Alternatively, calls can be directed to Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-956-5001.
Community Concerns
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Apple Valley community, raising concerns about safety on the local roadways.
Authorities are emphasizing the importance of adhering to traffic laws and remaining vigilant while operating vehicles to prevent such heart-wrenching outcomes in the future.
