The deadly collision happened at about 4:45 p.m. on September 22 in the area of Palmdale Road and Blanco Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Piñon Hills, CA – The driver who was killed in a head-on collision in Piñon Hills on Monday has been identified.
The County Medical Examiner's Office identified the deceased driver as Rashaad Wharton, a 22-year-old Apple Valley resident.
The deadly collision happened at about 4:45 p.m. on September 22 in the area of Palmdale Road and Blanco Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
According to CHP, a Chevrolet Equinox SUV collided head-on with a big rig hauling 78,000 pounds of beverages.
Detectives said the big rig was traveling westbound on Palmdale Road (Highway 18) when a white Chevrolet Equinox, traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed on State Route 18, passed within the westbound lane. For some reason, Equinox did not merge back into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with the big rig.
The Equinox caught fire after the impact. Rashaad Wharton, who was operating the SUV, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation.