The woman, along with two others, had stopped on northbound I-15 near E. Main Street to help move a stalled vehicle when she was struck

BARSTOW — Authorities said a 23-year-old woman died after she was struck by a vehicle as she tried to help another motorist on Interstate 15 here Thursday evening.

The woman, along with two others, had stopped on northbound I-15 near E. Main Street to help move a stalled vehicle in the No. 1 lane when she was struck by a green Dodge Dakota pickup truck, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Craig Stevens.

“She unfortunately succumbed to her injuries,” Stevens said.

The incident ultimately involved several vehicles, and began when a van headed north on I-15 was crossing the Mojave River bridge and became disabled near E. Main Street just before 7 p.m. Thursday, stopping in the No. 1 lane.

“Three Good Samaritans stopped to help push it out of the lanes,” Stevens said. “A Honda sedan headed north on I-15 saw them, slowed down and turned his flashers on. And that’s when the green Dodge Dakota came along.”

Stevens said the pickup truck sideswiped the Honda and didn’t stop, running into the Samaritans and the stalled van.

The woman became trapped under the pickup truck from the impact, Stevens said. She was airlifted, along with another Good Samaritan, to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for treatment but was ultimately pronounced dead.

The identity of the woman is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Stevens said the third Good Samaritan and the driver of the pickup truck, a 56-year-old Fresno man, sustained minor injuries. Further updates on their condition weren’t available. No other injuries were reported.

Stevens said the driver of the Dodge Dakota was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

He declined to provide his identity as the CHP’s investigation is ongoing — a typical protocol for the agency — but county arrest logs identified him as 56-year-old Fresno resident John Irick, who was arrested on suspicion of DUI resulting in bodily injury at 7:47 p.m. Thursday.

Irick remains in custody at the Adelanto Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bail, in addition to $25,000 bail related to a probation violation for a 2012 DUI conviction, according to booking logs and court records. Irick is expected to appear in court Dec. 18.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Barstow CHP office at 760-255-5900.

Paola Baker may be reached at 760-955-5332 or PBaker@VVDailyPress.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DP_PaolaBaker.