APPLE VALLEY, Calif. – An Oro Grande mother of two young children was struck by a hit and run driver while walking on Highway 18 in the Town of Apple Valley on Sunday.
At around 4:40 a.m., an AMR ambulance driver noticed that a female was lying in the eastbound lanes of State Highway 18, west of Apple Valley Road. The female identified by her estranged husband, Richard Offerdahl as 34-year-old Tiffany Lee Offerdahl, was unresponsive and based on evidence at the scene, appeared to be struck by a vehicle. Emergency medical personnel performed life-saving measures in an attempt to preserve her life, but she was pronounced deceased at St Mary’s Hospital.
Eastbound State Highway 18, from Stoddard Wells to Apple Valley Road were closed for three hours for the Apple Valley Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T) to conduct the investigation. It is believed that the unknown vehicle fled the scene without rendering aid to Offerdahl or even calling 911.
Tiffany Offerdahl was married to Richard Offerdahl on June 10, 2017, and together had two children. Richard Offerdahl was arrested for spousal abuse on January 7, 2019, and pleaded no contest on January 14, 2019. He was sentenced to 20 days in jail; 10 days time served and 10 days conduct credit. He is also on summary probation for 3 years and is required to take a 52-week Domestic Violence class.
At 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2019, Richard Offerdahl pleaded with the community via social media to report anything that may have been witnessed. “I had to kiss my dead wife goodbye this morning, just married two years ago, with babies 1-year-old and 3 months old,” he posted to a 24/7 Headline News Facebook group. Richard Offerdahl, who is employed as an EMT with American Medical Response (AMR), according to public records filed for divorce on January 25, 2019, just two days before the tragic accident.
The collision is currently under investigation by the Apple Valley Police Department, and deputies are seeking additional witnesses. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Deputy Stuart Cullum at 760-240-7400. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact WeTip at (800)78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.
