Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Apple Valley, Westbound Highway 18 Closed for Investigation
(This story has been updated to include additional information.)
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Authorities are investigating after a 37-year-old male pedestrian was struck and killed early Tuesday morning in the Town of Apple Valley.
It happened at about 5:12 am, on November 5, 2024, on State Highway 18, west of Flathead Road.
Emergency responders arrived and located an orange four-door Chevy Sonic with front-end damage along outer Highway 18, and the pedestrian down in the roadway along the top portion of the highway.
Despite life-saving measures, the unidentified pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to sheriff’s officials, through investigation, deputies determined the vehicle traveled east on Outer Highway 18 North toward the intersection of Erie Road. The pedestrian walked east in the lane of Outer Highway 18 North towards Erie Road. The Chevrolet drove eastbound on Outer Highway 18 North and sideswiped the pedestrian near the intersection with Erie Road.
The 26-year-old driver of the Chevrolet, a resident of Victorville, remained at the scene throughout the investigation and cooperated with law enforcement.
The westbound lanes of Highway 18 were closed between Flathead Road and Dale Evans Parkway, for approximately 4 hours while deputies processed the scene for evidence and looked for video surveillance and potential witnesses.
The Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) said that Route 41 would be on a detour due to the accident.
Anyone with any information or anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Deputy S. Esparza or Deputy J. Alarcon at Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
UPDATE 11/7: The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Nicholas R. Melendez, a resident of Apple Valley.
