Roy Austin Johnson Jr. dies in fatal Phelan hit-and-run
Fatal Phelan hit-and-run death of Roy Austin Johnson Jr. – Obituary
Roy Austin Johnson Jr., 46, of Victorville, lost his life in a tragic hit-and-run accident in Phelan on Monday evening. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. near the intersection of Phelan Road and Windermere Road, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The collision happened when a 2006 Chevrolet Express G2500 van, driven by 57-year-old Mitchel Ray Leftwitch of Hesperia, crossed over double yellow lines into oncoming traffic. The van sideswiped Johnson’s westbound 2005 Toyota Avalon, which then collided head-on with the van’s attached trailer. Johnson succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Following the crash, Leftwitch fled the area in the van. Authorities, including CHP officers and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies, located him shortly after. He refused to stop, leading police on a pursuit that ended with a PIT maneuver in the area of Capelin and Mesquite roads. Leftwitch was taken into custody and treated for minor injuries before being booked.
Leftwitch faces multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing death, hit-and-run, and evading police. His bail has been set at $350,000, and his first court appearance is scheduled for Friday in San Bernardino County Superior Court.
The CHP encourages anyone with information about the incident to contact their Victorville Office at (760) 241-1186.
