Pedestrian killed after being struck by semi truck

A middle-aged man was killed after being struck by a semi truck on Highway 247 in Morongo Basin Tuesday night. Officers with the California Highway Patrol said the collision happened at about 9:40 p.m. just north of Sunnyslope Drive.

According to the driver of the semi truck, the pedestrian was hit after he tried to cross the highway eastbound as the semi truck was traveling north at about 55 to 60 MPH.

Officers said the pedestrian was wearing dark-colored clothing. Paramedics arrived and pronounced the man dead around 10:30 p.m. They haven’t released his identity yet.

The cause of the collision is under investigation.

The northbound and southbound lanes of the highway were closed for about an hour while officers were on scene.