A Highland man was killed in a freak accident in the Giant Rock Off-Highway Vehicle area of Johnson valley yesterday. According to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Sergeant Michael Landavaso, On Saturday, November 14, at 2:09 p.m., Sheriff’s Dispatch received 911 calls for a medical emergency at the Giant Rock OHV area in Johnson Valley for a man hit in the face with a “bottle rocket.” The call was transferred to medical services and medical aid was dispatched to the scene. Investigators later learned the Boy Scouts of America were hosting their annual “Rocket Rave” event where commercially and home-made hobby model rockets are launched. Michael Bentley, 50, of Highlands, was spectating near a friend who launched a home-made rocket. The launch was successful but Bentley lost sight of the rocket. The rocket came down and struck Bentley in the face as he was looking towards the sky.
Spectators called 911. Off-duty San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department personnel, Detective F. Hernandez and Lieutenant S. Fisk, were in attendance in another area of the event and learned of the medical emergency. They responded to Bentley’s location, assessed the nature injuries as life threatening and coordinated a medical response and helicopter transport. The California Highway Patrol helicopter and responded to the scene to assist. Bentley was taken to Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs and immediately taken into surgery where he succumbed to his injuries.
