Pedestrian struck twice by cars is shot, killed by deputies in Victorville

Victorville, California-May 9, 2024-On Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9:58 a.m., deputies from the Victorville Station responded to multiple calls of a vehicle vs. pedestrian traffic collision on Mariposa Road. Callers reported the pedestrian, later identified as Nicholas Contreras, was hit by a second vehicle as he continued to walk around after the first collision. Contreras was later shot to death by San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies after he pulled a knife on them. (Google Maps)
A man who was walking near Mariposa Road, above, and Locust Avenue in Victorville was struck twice by vehicles, got to his feet and continued walking, and was then shot to death after pulling a knife on deputies called to the scene. (Google Maps)

A Hesperia man who was traveling on foot survived being struck by two vehicles in separate collisions Thursday morning but was then fatally shot by San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies after he pulled a knife on them, authorities said.

Nicholas Robert Contreras, 32, was first struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Mariposa Road and Locust Avenue in Victorville, according to a sheriff's spokesperson.

Contreras picked himself up and continued walking before he was struck by a second vehicle near a gas station about a quarter of a mile away, authorities said.

Sheriff's deputies responding to emergency calls arrived at the scene shortly before 10 a.m., authorities said.

Read more:Deputy kills 15-year-old wielding a 'bladed' garden tool, officials say

Neither of the two collisions "was hard enough to incapacitate or disable" Contreras, said sheriff's spokesperson Gloria Huerta.

As deputies approached Contreras, they discovered he was carrying a knife, authorities said.

Contreras refused deputies' commands to drop the knife, and when he advanced on them, the deputies opened fire, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The department’s Specialized Investigation Division is handling the investigation.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Advertisement