Special Speed and Red Light Enforcement Aimed to Make Local Streets Safer

VICTORVILLE – Collisions including those with fatalities, those causing major injuries and many other life-changing collisions are unfortunately common in the Victor Valley area, possibly more per capita than in other areas. The primary cause of these traffic collisions is excessive speed and/or inattentive driving.

The City of Victorville is taking steps to protect motorists by adding additional excessive speed and red light violation enforcement. You may have already seen the increase in vehicles stopped by deputies on the side of the road, but this proactive approach to road safety will be conducted throughout the month of May. Nine dates have been selected in May to conduct these extra enforcement operations, two already carried out, which resulted in 35 vehicles stopped with 29 citations and six warnings issued.

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Two collisions this week, resulted in the death of an Oak Hills woman and an Apple Valley man. On Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at around 8:20 p.m. there was a two-vehicle traffic collision on Bear Valley Road and Algonquin Road in the Town of Apple Valley. Authorities said that a gray Chevrolet Cruz driven by 20-year-old Adelanto resident Sasha Hatten was driving eastbound on Bear Valley Road near Algonquin. She attempted to make a left turn to go north on Algonquin road when she struck a 2000 Gold Kia Sephia, driven by Matthew Marshall, 58, head on.

The collision caused major damage and trapped Marshall inside. He was freed from the vehicle and transported to Antelope Valley Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries. Hatten and her three passengers were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

On Thursday, May 11, 2017, a second collision took the life of an Oak Hills woman. At around 7:40 a.m. deputies from the Hesperia station and emergency medical personnel responded to the collision near Maple Avenue and Olive Street. Through investigation, authorities learned that the gray Honda Accord was driving westbound on Olive Street was struck by black Dodge Challenger which was driving northbound on Maple Avenue as it entered the intersection.

The driver of the Honda, identified as Carrie Sutherland, 45, was unresponsive when extricated by rescue personnel. She was transported to Desert Valley Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The male driver in the Challenger was transported to a trauma center for the treatment of major injuries.

Although, one or both of the recent fatal collisions may have simply been terrible accidents at no obvious fault, defensive and attentive driving can reduce the number of lives changed by traffic collisions.“Avoid costly fines and dangerous collisions by obeying the posted speed limits and focusing on the road,” said Victorville Sheriff’s Station officials. “Your actions make a difference.”