HESPERIA >> Sheriff’s deputies responding to a “possible” traffic collision found a dead man Sunday morning.
The body of a man identified as Philip Alexander Smyth, 50, was discovered about 5 a.m. on Highway 138 east of Summit Valley Road, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
The case is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said.
“When (deputies from the Victor Valley station) arrived on scene they discovered a vehicle on the side of the road with a deceased subject at the vehicle,” said a Sheriff’s Department statement.
The Sheriff’s Department declined to release any other information or clarify what “at the vehicle” means.
“We are not releasing that information to preserve the investigation,” said spokesman Randy Naquin in an email.
A detective and forensics officer continued to process the scene, photographing a four-door Buick after sunset Sunday.
The sedan was facing west in sand south of Highway 138 between the 15 Freeway and Silverwood Lake. A substantial amount of blood could be seen on the inside of the driver’s door.
It appeared the car was traveling east when it swerved into desert on the north side of the road and struck a fence and street sign before crossing back over the two-lane road and coming to a rest.
