According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, a 74-year-old man was driving a white Nissan Frontier west in the No.1 eastbound lane of Highway 18. The driver then triggered a pile-up involving four other vehicles
Apple Valley, CA – An elderly man was killed while two other people were injured in a crash involving five vehicles on an Apple Valley highway on Saturday night.
At about 9:40 p.m. March 7, authorities received reports of a multi-car accident on Highway 18 near Tao Road.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, a 74-year-old man was driving a white Nissan Frontier west in the No.1 eastbound lane of Highway 18. The driver then triggered a pile-up involving four other vehicles.
The Nissan driver was transported to a hospital with major injuries and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The driver’s identity was not released pending notification of the next-of-kin.
Two other motorists involved in the incident were also taken to hospital for treatment. The extent of the injuries sustained by the drivers were not specified.
A portion of Highway 18 was shut down for hours while authorities examined and cleared the scene.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station is investigating the accident. Anyone with information regarding the crash is urged to contact the department at (760)240-7400.
In 2023, Apple Valley recorded 297 total fatal and injury collisions, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), up from 275 in 2022, indicating a slight increase in serious crashes year-over-year. These figures include all collisions where at least one person was killed or injured and reflect ongoing traffic safety concerns in this San Bernardino County community. Alcohol-involved collisions were 31 in 2023, a modest decrease from 36 in 2022, while motorcycle-related injuries or deaths remained fairly consistent with 29 in 2023. Pedestrian-involved collisions numbered 13 in 2023, down from 18 in 2022, and bicyclist incidents were low at 2. Among the serious collisions, speed-related crashes were 41, and nighttime (9 pm–3 am) crashes were 23 in 2023, both lower than the prior year. The number of hit-and-run collisions fell sharply to 4 in 2023, and DUI arrests decreased to 29, suggesting some progress in enforcement.
Were you injured or lost a loved one in this car accident?
The aftermath of a car accident involving fatality and injuries is overwhelming. Families face profound grief, shock, and emotional trauma while survivors endure severe pain, medical treatments, hospitalizations, and long-term recovery challenges. Immediate priorities include securing medical care, gathering police reports, death certificates, and witness statements. Practical burdens mount, including funeral arrangements, mounting bills, lost income, and insurance claims. Families often navigate complex wrongful death and personal injury claims to seek compensation for funeral costs, medical expenses, lost support, pain, and suffering. Professional and timely legal guidance can help protect rights and pursue justice amid the chaos, allowing you to focus on healing.