David Bell Identified as Palm Desert Man Killed in Fiery Crash on Highway 247 in Lucerne Valley

David Bell Killed in Lucerne Valley Accident on Highway 247 near Rattlesnake Canyon Road

David Bell Dies After Crash on Highway 247 near Rattlesnake Canyon Road

Lucerne Valley, California – Authorities have identified David Bell, 84, of Palm Desert as the man killed in a fiery traffic crash on Monday afternoon in Lucerne, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner.

The deadly collision occurred at about 2:25 p.m. on July 15, on Highway 247 near Rattlesnake Canyon Road.

The California Highway Patrol officers said a heavy-duty 2009 Ford F-550 pickup truck and a 2024 Toyota Prius collided for unknown reasons.

Bell was heading south on the highway in the Toyota when he crossed over the painted solid double yellow lines for unknown reasons. The Toyota ultimately crashed head-on into the pickup truck heading northbound.

The impact caused the Toyota to burst into flames.

The truck was carrying canisters of propane. The car rolled over and halted on a dirt shoulder. Several propane tanks on the Ford exploded.

Following the crash impact, Bell was thrown off from his vehicle. He was wearing his seat belt at the time.

Responding emergency crews declared Bell dead at the crash site.

The pickup truck driver, 35-year-old man from Adelanto, and his passenger , 52-year-old Apple Valley man, both sustained moderate injuries and were hospitalized.

An investigation is underway.