LANCASTER – A homeless man was struck and killed by a pickup truck early Wednesday morning in the Lancaster area, and the motorist was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Raymond Berkowitz, 65, died at the scene of the collision, which occurred about 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, on 50th Street West south of Avenue M-4.
Tanner Peters, 24, of Littlerock was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the California Highway Patrol reported. He was being held on $15,000 bail, according to the sheriff’s department.
According to a CHP statement, Peters was driving a 2007 Dodge 2500 pickup truck south on 50th Street West at about 40 mph, and Berkowitz “was walking within the southbound lane of 50th Street directly in front of the Dodge. (Peters) was unable to make evasive action and struck (Berkowitz).”
Anyone with information on the case is encouraged call the CHP Antelope Valley Area office at 661-948-8541.
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Lurana says
It is absolutely amazing to me that you people can sit here and say this man lost his life because he was walking in the street. His mother lives right down the street from where he was killed. Maybe if this punk kid wasn’t drinking and driving my uncle would still be here. Its disgusting to me that basically what is being said is “he gets what he gets.” However if his “status” was different, say he was a doctor or teacher, it would be the kid who was being blamed, right?
100% true says
Not because he was “just walking in the street”. He was walking in the southbound driving lane towards oncoming traffic. There is plenty of room to SAFELY walk on both sides of 50th at M-4 without impeding traffic or getting your self killed. Had the man not been walking where he was, he would probably be safe and alive right now. I’m sick and tired of people not taking personal responsibility for their actions. Had the DUI driver been sober, he would NOT been at fault, and he could have taken action to avoid hitting the man. Both the deceased and the driver are at fault.
Miah says
Now it is his fault he was drunk and couldn’t see. His bad
Miah says
Your absolutely RIGHT!!!!!. THESE LOW LIFE’S SAY THAT BECAUSE IT’S THERE DUMB EXCUSE on being a person who drinks and drives. PLAYING the VICTIM because theyre trying justify idiotic actions. Pedestrians have the right away as a driver if we can’t see a person walking because we’re under the influence ” reap what you sow”. they’re the cause of that accident and you will have to pay the price because of that. evidently these people don’t need license or they 2 Under the Influence right now! to comprehend on what’s going on . I’m sorry your innocent Uncle was killed by a unstable drunk behind the wheel. I’m praying for your family and strength during the holidays… I bet this fool won’t do this again well he’s gonna be locked up .he won’t know how to drive when or if he gets out. 1 less fool driving the streets drunk driving.
Lurana says
Or that it is not that little punks first DUI!! I blame the dog that was involved! Maybe he should have used the crosswalk
Maria says
Just wondering why his bail is only $15,000, and for the principal that killed someone a few weeks ago, her bail is 2 million ???
Tim Scott says
The incident offense is only one consideration when setting bail. Flight risk is another, and ability to absorb the loss is a third. For a 24 year old (basically) kid $15,000 might very well be an inconceivable amount of money to lose, where for a well established career professional $15,000 could easily fall in the “take the loss and walk away” category.
Gb says
My bail was 2 million and I didn’t kill anybody, I don’t understand how someone died and the bail is $15k
Tim Scott says
If this were a spoken conversation I suppose I could just repeat myself word for word, but since the text of what I said was right there above the reply button that you hit and is still plainly visible that seems pointless.
I will repeat that the incident offense is only one consideration in the setting of bail and hope that you get it this time.
Casey says
You can listen to him, but his answer is wrong. It is an opinion, baseless to be sure.
Casey says
Gb…look up DUI bail amount and how they are determined, getting your question answered.
Alexis says
Gb…Come on now, surely you jest.
drunk drivers need harsher punishment says
A few years ago, there was a dumb [removed] DUI driver that on an Easter morning, crashed his car into an apt and killed a teen. He was bailed out before the crime scene was finished being investigated. Bail is ridonkulous nowadays!
Miah says
U have to use cash now as bail no collateral and more than likely he can’t put up that cash money now laws have changed when it comes to bail and cash.
Big Lou says
If I read this right, Peters was not at fault. The victim was walking in the street. But Peters was evidently tipsy and that’s the reason he was busted. But the argument is had he been sober, he would have reacted properly. I hate DUI’s as I myself am a victim, but this guy is not the guilty one
Lisa says
Even though the driver was DUI, the pedestrian Never should have been walking In the street. He should have been on the sidewalk or dirt walkway. Nothing would have happened if the pedestrian had obeyed the laws, same goes to the driver, you Never should have been driving after drinking. They’re both guilty!
Mery says
What about that chick that killed the motorcycle rider? That was totally her stupidity that cost his life! I haven’t seen any update about her getting arrested.
Rego says
When did this chick motorcycle crash happen and where?
Lisa says
Even though the driver was DUI, that guy Never should have been walking In the street, he wouldn’t have been killed and nothing would have happened in the first place!
Again says
Here we go again.
why people have to jay walk and impede traffic flows? guy got himself killed over it says
Sucks to be the driver because had he not been DUI, it wouldn’t have been his fault.