Crime & Safety
Marine Corporal Killed in Weekend Freeway Crash
Joshua Vielstich served in Afghanistan and was at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms.
A motorcyclist who was killed in a weekend crash on westbound Interstate 10 in Palm Springs was a 21-year-old Marine corporal who served in Afghanistan, military and California Highway Patrol officials confirmed today.
Joshua Vielstich, who was based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, died at the crash scene around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, about a mile west of North Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.
Vielstich, who may not have properly secured his helmet, was thrown from his Yamaha motorcycle upon rear-ending a car, CHP Officer Joe Zagorski said. The driver, 40-year-old Anika Heidman of Anaheim, was unhurt, he said.
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Vielstich was a motor transport operator with the 1st Tank Battalion and had served three years and two months in the Marine Corps at the time of his death. He was the recipient of several medals and awards and served in Afghanistan from January to July last year, according to base spokeswoman 1st Lt. Sin Carrano.
