Yesterday (October 27) at approximately 2:20 p.m., Martha Masters, an 80-year-old resident from Twentynine Palms, was driving a gray 2001 Nissan Altima westbound on Highway 62 within the #2 lane west of Rice Avenue. A bicyclist was riding on the westbound shoulder of SR 62 west of Rice Avenue. For unknown reasons, Masters made an unsafe turning movement onto the shoulder of the highway and the Nissan struck the rear of the bicycle. The bicyclist was thrown from the bicycle and landed on the shoulder. The bicyclist was transported to Hi-Desert Medical Center and succumbed to their injuries. Masters was transported to Hi-Desert Medical Center with suspected minor injuries. Masters was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. It does not appear alcohol or drugs are a factor in this crash.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
