VICTIM IDENTIFIED IN TUESDAY’S FATAL PEDESTRIAN CRASH IN YUCCA VALLEY

The driver of the car that hit and killed a pedestrian in Yucca Valley yesterday never saw the victim until he was on his windshield, according to the Sheriff’s deputy who investigated the accident. Deputy Ryan Arthurton said Bruce Ball, 67, of Yucca Valley, was crossing Highway 62 near Barberry Avenue about 5:15 a.m. when he was hit by Anthony Ruddy, 48, of Yucca Valley. Ruddy was driving westbound on the highway about 40 to 45 miles per hour in the number 2 lane at the time. There is not a crosswalk at that intersection, although there are crosswalks at the intersections at Sage Avenue and Dumosa Avenue, just east and west of Barberry. Arthurton said it’s unknown which direction Ball was crossing the highway because Ruddy never saw him until he hit the windshield of his Toyota Corolla. The force of the impact sent Ball flying about 60 feet west of the intersection. Ruddy immediately stopped, called 911, and tried to render aid, but Ball died about 5 minutes later. Arthurton said neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the crash.