A serious traffic collision involving a bicyclist and a vehicle in Apple Valley has resulted in major injuries, authorities reported. The accident took place at the cross-section of Thunderbird Road and Wichita Road, per an online statement by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department.
The sheriff's office states that the incident occurred on the evening of June 3, 2024, around 9:10 PM when a black Ford Explorer struck a 52-year-old bicyclist. The Sheriff's Station deputies and Apple Valley Fire Department personnel responded to the scene, where, the cyclist, also an Apple Valley resident, was found to have sustained major injuries. After initial treatment by local medics, the injured party was subsequently airlifted to a different medical facility for further care. The driver of the Explorer, a 36-year-old resident of Apple Valley, was uninjured and cooperated with law enforcement at the scene.
According to a public release by the sheriff's department, an eastbound black Ford Explorer in the number one lane approached Wichita Road while the bicyclist was also traveling eastbound. It was at this point that the vehicle collided with the bicyclist. The post-crash investigation led to the closure of both eastbound and westbound lanes on Thunderbird Road between Wichita Road and Wanaque Road for approximately four hours, affecting local traffic while deputies investigated the scene.
Officials continue to look into the circumstances of the accident and have not yet released further details regarding its cause, or the current state of the bicycle rider's condition. Members of the community with any information about the crash, or witnesses to the event have been encouraged to reach out to Deputy J. Rodgers of the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station. Anonymous tips can be directed to the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME, or through the hotline's website.
