The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Man kneeling in street struck, killed by van in Lancaster

by The AV Times Staff • February 10, 2017

The fatal collision occurred around 7:43 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, on Avenue I near Fern Avenue in Lancaster, sheriff’s officials said. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
LANCASTER — A man kneeling in the street was struck and killed by a van in Lancaster Thursday night, authorities said.

The fatal collision occurred around 7:43 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, on Avenue I, near Fern Avenue, according to Detective Ryan Bodily of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.

The van’s driver immediately stopped to provide aid, officials said. [LUIS MEZA]
A motorist in a “white Ford E350 van, driving westbound on Avenue I in the No. 3 lane of traffic, struck a pedestrian who was kneeling in the street looking at a deceased cat,” Bodily said.

“The driver of the Ford struck the pedestrian without seeing him and immediately stopped to provide aid,” according to a news release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.

The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not yet been released pending next of kin notification, coroner’s officials said Friday afternoon.

“Driving under the influence does not appear to be a factor,” the sheriff’s news release states.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact traffic investigators at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station by calling 661-948-8466.

–

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Lancaster

17 comments for "Man kneeling in street struck, killed by van in Lancaster"

  1. Samdra says

    February 15, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    Wow, the ignorance of what factors cause people to be homeless is stunning. Amazing how some people think they are better than others. Not everyone has every opportunity in life. What about a child who is born to drug addicted parents. The VA is a disgrace in what they offer these homeless vets. Some of these Vets as shell-shocked. I know I’ve talked to many of them. Every single homeless person has their own story and their own set of circumstance as to what keeps them homeless. That’s why it is so hard to help. There is no blanket solution. There but for the grace of God go I.

  2. FYI says

    February 12, 2017 at 8:40 am

    It is a misconception to believe that the homeless “have every opportunity available to them in life.” If you have never been homeless – you have no clue what you are talking about. Most people living paycheck to paycheck are exactly 3 months away from being homeless if they loose their job due to illness, injury, downsizing, layoffs – whatever the case may be. If these people don’t have “family” as a safety net – the county resources are slim at best and GR can offer them a little over $200 a month with some food stamps. Try even renting a couch in someone’s living room on that per month. Our local shelter can accommodate 60 people over night in the winter months and they are put out at 7am. Do you have any idea how many homeless people there are in Antelope Valley? “2,800 homeless individuals, a full 40% of which are veterans.” (City of Lancaster, 2015). Without temporary housing, education, job training, a car or any support resources = how is someone suppose to shower for interviews, get clean clothes – stay presentable and find new employment. What if they are unemployable veterans, disabled, mentally ill – then what? Get your facts straight. A homeless person was and is still someone’s daughter, son, sister, brother, mothers and fathers. A better question to ask is – who use to take care of the homeless before our larger social ideologies began treating it as a pathology and labeled these people a nuisance? Families, churches, community support services, and the neighbor next door use to care about each other. Those days are gone. Every homeless person has a story and very few of them are going to tell you they came from successful families, were successful individuals with every opportunity available to them and just woke up one day and decided to fall through the cracks and become homeless. I suggest you look at the illusion of your own safety net and ask yourself = “If I, for some reason, were to become destitute and homeless – what resources would I have at my disposal?” The actual “Opportunities” have to actually be a “reality” for someone to take advantage of them.

    • Thank you says

      February 12, 2017 at 10:13 am

      VERY well said. THANK YOU

    • Tm says

      February 13, 2017 at 10:15 am

      As I said before, every person has every opportunity in life, regardless of their wealth or history..I myself live paycheck to paycheck, but if I was smart when I was younger, I would have went straight to college after high school instead of partying and getting pregnant in my young adulthood….Things happen in life, to everyone, were they had an opportunity but failed do to life’s greatest unexpected events…I have seen family and friends fail at life due to lack of responsibilitys and drug and/ or alcohol or mental health issues..
      So yes , I have done my research and very well have my facts straight
      I am mother who takes care of other families children due to their choices in life and the decision to live like a ” homeless” person, knowing she has family and a home, but decided not to use it….The lifestyle she chooses is easier and is less responsibility for herself, yet more of a burden on others who love her, but she chooses to drink and stay on the streets..So yes like I said before, every opportunity is there in life, you choose what you want in life.

      • Tim Scott says

        February 13, 2017 at 10:28 am

        Sure. If you had gone to college instead of partying it would have put you on an even footing with someone who inherited millions and you’d probably be a billionaire president today.

        • Tm says

          February 13, 2017 at 2:00 pm

          Damm it, I really feel like I missed a big opportunity in life…Oh well

  3. Laura says

    February 11, 2017 at 8:48 am

    Prayers for all families involved

  4. TM says

    February 11, 2017 at 7:20 am

    Where does it say that he is homeless, anyway , yes I agree, the amount of homeless people have greatly increased in this area and it is very depressing to have to drive to and from working seeing 10-20 people on the way . I am sorry but as bad as I feel, and in my personal experiences with people themselves, these people get themselves in this situation …They have/ had every opportunity out there the world has offered to them, and decided not to be successful in life…. Especially these young homeless kids that still do.
    RIP to the gentleman who lost his life … Condolences to his family.

    • T.B says

      February 12, 2017 at 1:54 am

      You have no idea how people end up homeless. So quick to assume, that’s the problem with our judgmental society. I was homeless with two kids and a dog. I didn’t do anything but fight a slum lord and not know enough at that time to present a solid case, but I tried. Hopefully, you never find yourself in that situation. RIP.

  5. Just Saying says

    February 10, 2017 at 9:23 pm

    Story said, “kneeling in the street looking at a deceased cat,”. Has it occurred to anybody yet, that the victim may have been distraught, looking at his cat that he just discovered killed?

  6. Dee says

    February 10, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    There are homeless people in every city, state,and country however, no one knows what the circumstances are for them being homeless. It could be mental illness or substance abuse, nobody really knows, it’s just sad that there are not enough resources to help these people. It’s bigger than our community, but it has to start somewhere. God bless that man and his family, and the driver as well, he is probably in a terrible place right now.

  7. Toni says

    February 10, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    I meant to say that is a bigger issue than the alcohol.

    • Dee says

      February 10, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      I agree Toni, it’s much bigger.

  8. Toni says

    February 10, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    Lots of the homeless are mentally ill and that is not even bigger issue than alcohol. I agree with Judy, the lighting is horrible in that area too. Prayers for the families.

  9. ROSA says

    February 10, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    Sad but Antelope Valley Authorities have to do something to put this people out of the streets. It is a liquor store located between ave I and Beech ave. Around are homeless drinking alcohol every single day and the authorities do not do nothing.

  10. Bad out There. says

    February 10, 2017 at 4:57 pm

    Can’t speak on this case but the AV has a big problem Wednesday 9pm just east of the neighborhood walmart on rancho Vista i had to (Swerve) to miss the homeless/vagrant in the street. Friday 1am leaving Winco Vagrants with shopping cart hanging out on 10th st and in the street look like a seen in a movie. I have no ideal how no one was struck by a car. It is really bad out there at night.

  11. Judy says

    February 10, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    This is so sad, I am sure the driver is beside themselves. That area doesn’t have very good lighting at night. Both families in my prayers.

Recent Comments

  • Tim Scott on Readers Speak Out! [Fall 2023]: “Is there anyone, really, that thinks giving Wrecks his own paramilitary unit is a good idea?” Dec 7, 16:53
  • B. Fife on Readers Speak Out! [Fall 2023]: “If you’re looking for a good paying gig, and you can sell your soul to Rexx, apply to become one…” Dec 7, 08:20
  • Troll on World AIDS Day 2023 to honor lives lost to the disease: “PRIDE [Rainbow here]” Dec 7, 06:28
  • Tim Scott on World AIDS Day 2023 to honor lives lost to the disease: “Trolls that pretend they aren’t trolling are weak. If you are gonna troll don’t deny it, be proud of your…” Dec 6, 16:19
  • Majic J. on World AIDS Day 2023 to honor lives lost to the disease: “This is how you respond to folks that are clearly honoring you, and your journey… Wow, lighten up” Dec 6, 14:32

Copyright © 2023 · The AV Times LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use