JOSHUA TREE ARTIST HIT ON THE HIGHWAY LAST MONTH HAS DIED

The Joshua Tree artist who was hit by a car as he attempted to cross the highway in Joshua Tree last month died Sunday. According to the California Highway Patrol, Anita Barker, 53, was driving eastbound on the highway about 40 to 45 miles per hour in the number 1 lane when Arthur Comings, 73, walked into her lane, just east of Sunset. The CHP reports that Barker braked hard, but she could not avoid hitting him. Comings suffered major internal injuries and was taken to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs. He was transferred to Marin County two weeks later where he died under the care of hospice. A CHP spokeswoman said that Barker will not be charged.