Wheelchair-Bound Man Struck, Killed by Vehicle

APPLE VALLEY:(VVNG.com)- A man in a wheelchair was struck and killed by a vehicle just before midnight on Wednesday night.

(photo by Hugo C. Valdez, Victor Valley News)

Per scanner traffic, at about 11:30 PM, dispatch received a call from a reporting party stating he pulled over and believed he hit something in the roadway.

Authorities responded to Navajo Road just south of Nisqually Road where they located a mangled wheelchair in the roadway. The body of a 53-year-old male was also located several feet away. The involved vehicle a black 2004 Chevy Silverado remained at the scene and the driver, 53-year-old Hesperia resident Randy Gudgeon cooperated with authorities.

Through investigation, is was determined that Gudgeon was driving north on Navajo Road, south of Nisqually Road. The wheelchair-bound man was traveling north on Navajo Road wearing dark clothing in the roadway and not using the sidewalk. Gudgeon did not see the man in the roadway and hit him. The wheelchair-bound man sustained fatal injuries from the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to those who live in the area the victim was a very friendly man who is well-known.

San Bernardino Coroners was requested to remove the body from the roadway. The identity of the deceased will be released pending notification of next of kin.

The Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) was requested to conduct the investigation. Hard road closures were requested northbound on Pahute and southbound on Nisqually till about 8AM on Thursday morning.

Anyone with information in the collision is urged to contact Deputies Cashion or Woytovich at the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station (760) 240-7400. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.