Camp Employee Struck and Killed by Pickup on SR 38 Near Angelus Oaks

A 30-year-old employee of East Valley YMCA Camp Edwards was struck and killed by a pickup truck Thursday on winding Highway 38 east of Angelus Oaks, according to the San Bernardino County coroner.

Heather Plazak was jogging on the eastbound shoulder of Highway 38 at mile marker 29 about 12:50 p.m. Thursday May 24 when she was struck from behind by a 2000 Ford F150, the coroner reported Friday.

"California Highway Patrol and San Bernardino County Fire responded," coroner's personnel stated in a release. "Plazak was pronounced dead at the scene."

The coroner identified Plazak as a resident of Tampa, Florida.

The driver of the pickup was identified by the California Highway Patrol as Robert Harold Smith, 59, of Loma Linda. An investigation of the incident was ongoing and as of Friday afternoon Smith had not been cited or charged, CHP Officer Ben Baker in Running Springs said in a phone interview.

The address for East Valley YMCA Camp Edwards is 42842 Jenks Lake Road East, several miles east of Angelus Oaks in the San Bernardino Mountains.

East Valley YMCA is based in Redlands, Calif.

"Located only 28 miles from downtown San Bernardino and a mere two hours from Los Angeles, Camp Edwards offers a wholesome camp environment for all in the San Bernardino Mountains," the East Valley YMCA website states.

Highway 38 ascends Mill Creek Canyon to reach Angelus Oaks and the Jenks Lake area, skirting the north edges of the San Gorgonio Wilderness as it continues to the Bear Valley resort communities.