HIGH DESERT: Fatal Freeway TC

A fatal traffic accident on Interstate 15 closed all lanes of the freeway Thursday afternoon. The accident occurred shortly after 2:00 pm in the northbound lanes of the freeway at the Stoddard Wells Road North/Bell Mountain Exit. It appears a semi truck was stopped on the right shoulder of the freeway when a pickup truck with a trailer smashed into it at full speed. The pickup truck was fully wedged under the big rig. Arriving paramedics pronounced one victim deceased on scene. One other victim had to be extricated was then air lifted to the trauma center at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Two air ambulances had been requested but only one was used. Both sides of the freeway were shut down for a time but the southbound traffic was eventually allowed start back up. The north bound traffic though was still shut for the investigation and extrication of the fatal victim. The northbound back up lasted about 10 miles (Palmdale Road). CHP Victorville is handling the investigation. Both Victorville Fire and Apple Valley Fire responded to the incident.

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