PINON HILLS, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> The driver who was killed in a head-on collision in Piñon Hills on Highway 18 Monday late afternoon has been identified.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Coroner’s Office identified the deceased driver as Rashaad Wharton, a 22-year-old Apple Valley resident.
The head-on collision happened on Hwy 18/Palmdale Road near Blanco Rd. about 4:45pm on Monday September 22, 2025.
According to California Highway Patrol, a white Chevrolet Equinox SUV collided head-on with a semi tractor-trailer hauling 78,000 pounds of drink beverages pallets.
CHP said, the semi was traveling westbound on Hwy 18/Palmdale Rd when a Chevrolet Equinox, traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed on Hwy 18, passed within the westbound lane. For some reason, Equinox did not merge back into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with the semi.
The Equinox caught fire after the impact. Rashaad Wharton, who was operating the SUV, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
This incident will be under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, Victorville Office.
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