A scooter rider was struck and killed by a pick-up truck on Twentynine Palms Highway in Joshua Tree on Saturday (March 25). The California Highway Patrol reports that, at approximately 9:40 p.m., a 35 year-old man from Long Beach was riding a 2021 Yongfu scooter eastbound on the Highway near Border Ave, and that the scooter was traveling in the left lane at slow speeds.
The CHP reports Aiki Cavannaugh, a 47 year-old man from Landers, was driving a 2020 Dodge Ram pick-up truck in the east bound lane of Twentynine Palms Highway, when he struck the rear of the scooter.
Cavannaugh stayed at the crash scene and cooperated with investigating officers.
The scooter rider was transported to Hi Desert Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The scooter was not legal for highway use. The CHP is investigating the incident and it is unknown at this time if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor.
UPDATED March 31: A CHP representative has said that Aiki Cavannaugh was released at the scene on Saturday. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. The name of the deceased has not been released.
