Man Tossed From Vehicle & Struck by Big Rig After Driver Attempts to Pass on Shoulder

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BARSTOW, Ca. – A man was killed when a vehicle attempted to pass a slower-moving big rig on Thursday morning, authorities said.

Barstow area CHP officials said that on October 14, 2021, at around 5:13 a.m., officers responded to the northbound I-15 north of Field Road for the report of a traffic collision. When they arrived at the scene they found a 24-year-old man who was tossed from the vehicle and subsequently struck by a big rig.

Through investigation, it was learned that the three males riding in a 2022 Kia attempted to pass a 2020 Freightliner truck-tractor combination driving on the right-hand shoulder of the freeway. While driving on the right shoulder, the vehicle struck a 2019 Freighliner tractor-trailer combination that was stopped on the shoulder. The impact tossed the male passenger, who was seated in the backseat, into the #2 lane of traffic, into the path of the 2020 Freighliner that they were originally attempting to pass.

The man was struck by the Freightliner and was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 5:56 a.m. The other two occupants in the Kia were treated at Barstow Community Hospital for minor injuries.

CHP officials do not believe alcohol or drugs are a factor in the collision. The collision remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Barstow California Highway Patrol at (760)255-5900