Pedestrians, 71 and 85, killed in separate accidents along same section of Hwy 74
HOMELAND — Two elderly pedestrians, ages 71 and 85, were killed along Hwy 74 in the unincorporated community of Homeland after they were struck by vehicles in two separate accidents that happened within days of each other this week. Although few details have been released regarding either of the fatal collisions, both are suspected to have involved drivers who fled the scenes afterward.
The first deadly accident happened Aug. 2, near Olson Ave; while the second fatal accident happened last night, Aug. 8, near Agnew Ave. The two locations are both within the 31000 block of SR-74 west of Valero Gas Station, and less than a tenth of a mile apart, where there is sparse lighting and no crosswalks.
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The first collision happened last Friday and left Milton Horkey, 71, of Homeland, deceased at the scene. Although it has not yet been determined what time Horkey was fatally struck, a coroner’s release has since indicated Horkey’s body was discovered in the roadway around 3:39 a.m., at which time medical personnel pronounced him deceased.
It is unclear if Horkey was attempting to cross the highway or had been within the lanes of travel when he was fatally struck, all of which is part of CHP’s ongoing investigation.
The second fatal accident happened last night, Aug. 8, around 8:20 p.m., and killed an 85-year-old Romoland resident. According to a preliminary coroner’s release that victim, who has not yet been publicly identified pending further investigation and notification of the man’s family, was pronounced deceased at the scene at 8:28 p.m.
CHP has since reported the as-yet unidentified victim was walking across SR-74 and was in the westbound, number one lane when he was struck by a white pickup – possibly a commercial or work truck – traveling at an unknown speed.
“The driver did not stop,” CHP Officer Mike Lassig has since reported.
“At that time of night, it’s not busy,” explained Lassig; saying, “The street lights are minimal.”
He said CHP is looking for witnesses and hoping the involved driver will show up at a local body shop to have their damaged truck repaired.
CHP is investigating both deadly accidents and their investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information about either investigation or who witnessed either collision is encouraged to contact CHP – San Gorgonio Office at (951) 769-2000.
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Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he currently writes for or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, the (now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.
Too many speeders and too few crosswalks. I live near this section of highway and cringe whenever I see pedestrians crossing — you’d have to be nuts to try it! The most recent victim is an old man who was always shuffling back and forth across the road with a wheeled shopping cart– I’m surprised he made it this long!
His name was Lawrence Lubers
how did you know Larry, he was my second cousin.if you can will text me at 512 775 4024. thanks
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The second victim probably won’t be identified since I’ve never seen him with anyone in the 25 years I’ve lived in Homeland…. but his name is Lawrence Bruce Lubers. 84 or 85 according to a incident back in 1996, where he got his nickname “The Catman”
Lawrence was a sweet but mentally challenged man who had seem many abuses in his life he had just celebrated his 85 birthday.
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