Authorities Sunday revealed the identity of the man who died in a Lancaster traffic collision, saying he had been driving the wrong way down the highway.
Steve H. Gonzalez, 25, was driving east at 3:20 p.m. Saturday, but in the westbound lanes, on West Avenue D in a 2017 Honda Civic, according to the California Highway Patrol.
As he approached 45th Street West, Victorville resident Alson R. Hall, 68, saw the Civic cruising right toward the 2009 International Pro Star he was driving. Hall tried to swerve right to avoid the wrong-way driver, but the front left of the Civic slammed into his trailer, killing Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a part in the fatal crash. Police say the road was dry and the visibility was clear at the time.
“Tragically, another life was lost here in the Antelope Valley,” said Officer B. Taggart, of the Antelope Valley California Highway Patrol. “This is the 24th person killed so far this year.”
The passenger in the Civic, 19-year-old Lancaster resident Gabriella Itovargas, was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital with minor injuries.
Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact Taggart at the Antelope Valley CHP Office at 661-948-8541.