Pedestrian Killed by Box Truck on Air Expressway in Adelanto

The crash was reported at 12:07 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, on Air Expressway east of Jonathan Street, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, as reported by Victor Valley News and the Victorville Daily Press. Deputies gave the man first aid until firefighters arrived, and fire personnel pronounced him dead at the scene, a department spokesperson said.

The driver of the box truck stopped at Air Expressway and Adelanto Road, where deputies contacted him. He remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation, the department said. The man who died had not been publicly identified in reports available on October 4, 2026.

The Sheriff’s Department is handling the case, and a spokesperson described the investigation as being in its early stages, the Daily Press reported. No cause had been made public by October 5, 2026, and officials had not described the lighting, the truck’s speed or the sequence of the collision. Reports also left open who owned the box truck and whether it was being used for business. Nothing the department has released assigns fault to anyone.

In a fatal pedestrian crash, investigators generally examine the roadway, the vehicle, any camera footage and what witnesses saw. Deputies have said they will share more as it becomes available, and we’ll add it here.

A family who loses someone in a pedestrian crash can seek compensation in a wrongful death case when a driver’s carelessness caused it. If the driver was on the job, the employer may also be responsible. California law can also make a vehicle’s owner responsible in some cases when someone else drives it with permission (Veh. Code §17150).

Drivers are expected to watch for and use care around people on foot, and a pedestrian’s family can still recover even if the pedestrian is found partly at fault; the recovery is reduced by that share. Our practical guide to pedestrian accidents in California explains how these claims work, and our article on how fault is determined after a crash covers the evidence investigators weigh. The people who may sue are set by statute, and this overview of who can file walks through them.

Most wrongful death suits in California must be filed within two years (Code Civ. Proc. §335.1). When a government agency may share the blame, the window for a written claim is far shorter, usually six months (Gov. Code §911.2). Holding on to the person’s clothing and belongings, photos of the area and the names of anyone who saw what happened can help later.

This information is a general overview and is not legal advice; your situation may differ, and consulting a legal professional can help you understand rights that may apply to you.

The family of the man killed on Air Expressway may be able to turn to Wilshire Law Firm for representation, as may anyone hurt in pedestrian accidents across the High Desert and the rest of San Bernardino County. The firm serves the Inland Empire from its Riverside office, and our Inland Empire truck accident lawyers handle crashes involving commercial vehicles.

On a case like this, the first steps usually include obtaining the Sheriff’s report, learning who owned and insured the truck, and checking whether it was on a business trip, then taking over the calls with insurers. Talking with our award-winning legal team costs nothing, at any hour, and there are no fees unless you get paid. You can also read about our broader personal injury practice.

After a sudden loss, many families aren’t sure where to start. Wilshire Law Firm’s legal professionals can hear what happened in Adelanto, or in any crash involving someone on foot, and lay out possible options without charge. We’re available 24/7, and there are no fees unless you get paid.

Contact Wilshire Law Firm today.