DATE/TIME: November 6th, 2023, at 11:08 PM
INCIDENT: Vehicle vs Pedestrian Fatal Traffic Crash
LOCATION: State Highway 18/ Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley, CA
PEDESTRIAN: Journee Buchanan-Williams, 12-years-old, Resident of Apple Valley (Deceased)
DRIVER: Darren Rottino, 58-year-old, Resident of Apple Valley
VEHICLE: White Ford Transit Connect
SUMMARY: On Monday, November 6, 2023, at approximately 11:08 p.m., deputies from the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station and rescue personnel from the Apple Valley Fire Department responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic crash on State Highway 18 and Apple Valley Road, in the town of Apple Valley.
Through investigation, deputies determined a white Ford Transit, driven by Darren Rottino, was eastbound on State Highway 18 in the number one lane approaching Apple Valley Road. The pedestrian, Journee Buchanan-Williams was walking northbound on Apple Valley Road approaching the intersection with State Highway 18. The Ford Transit struck the pedestrian walking northbound across the crosswalk on State Highway 18.
The pedestrian suffered major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by ambulance. The pedestrian later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The driver of the Ford Transit was uninjured and remained on scene to cooperate with the investigation.
An investigator from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Major Accident Investigative Team (M.A.I.T) arrived and is conducting an investigation. State Highway 18 eastbound lanes were closed between the intersections of Apple Valley Road and Kasota Road for approximately three hours while deputies processed the scene for evidence and interviewed witnesses.
Anyone with any information or anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Deputy S. Esparza at the 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 you may leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Deputy S. Esparza
Station: Apple Valley
Phone No: (760) 240-7400
Case No. 182305587
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
