Man killed while walking on Highway 18 in Apple Valley

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·2 min read
Sheriff's officials reported that a 27-year-old man from Victorville was fatally struck by a vehicle on Wednesday morning as he walked along Highway 18 in Apple Valley.
Sheriff's officials reported that a 27-year-old man from Victorville was fatally struck by a vehicle on Wednesday morning as he walked along Highway 18 in Apple Valley.

A 27-year-old man from was fatally struck by a vehicle as he walked along Highway 18 in Apple Valley.

Around 12:23 a.m. on Wednesday, deputies and firefighters responded to the incident. The collision occurred between the intersections of Symeron and Rancherias roads, just north of the AV Golf Course.

Deputies believe that the man was in the No. 2 eastbound lane of the highway when he was hit by a 2003 GMC Yukon headed east in the same lane. The man died at the scene, sheriff’s officials said.

Investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Major Accident Investigative Team were called to start an investigation.

The eastbound portion of the highway was closed for about two hours while investigators processed the scene.

It is unknown if the man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The driver of the GMC was not under the influence, sheriff’s officials reported.

The SBC Sheriff-Coroner’s Office later identified the pedestrian as Dylan Austin Magnant of Apple Valley, who was pronounced deceased at the scene at 12:35 a.m.

In a GoFundMe page, Sarah Lueken said her brother Dylan was "an amazing father to his four kids" and that the family "lost Dylan just 11 months after our mother" died of COVID-19.

"While I take comfort knowing he is with our mom, our life, and the lives of his children are forever changed from this devastating loss," Lueken said said. "Any donations, or words of condolences are greatly appreciated. Any funds that exceed those needed for his service shall be used for the care of his four children."

Charmaine Russo, who lives near the scene of the collision, told the Daily Press that she has often seen people crossing the highway near Rancherias Road.

"I'll be praying for the family of the young man who was killed," Russo said. "Such a tragedy."

Anyone with any information or anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked by sheriff’s officials to contact Deputy R. Grissom at the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760- 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-956-5001.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We-Tip Hotline at 800-78CRIME (27463) or wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victorville man fatally struck while walking on Hwy. 18 in Apple Valley