Vigil held for man killed while riding skateboard in East Central Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Friends and family members are mourning the loss of a man killed while riding his skateboard in East Central Fresno. Friends say Daniel Axt, 27, was hit around 10 p.m. Friday at Dakota and Chestnut avenues. Investigators say the man skated into the path of a truck, and the driver could not avoid hitting him.

Family members and friends say they're trying to comprehend how this could have happened. On Saturday, they put candles and flowers for the 27-year-old on the corner where he was killed. They say Axt was an experienced skateboarder who used the board as his only mode of transportation. He was a boyfriend, friend, a brother and a son. They believe he was on his way home Friday night when he was hit by the truck driver.

"It's so dark. It's so dark. There's no lights or nothing. The city should have lights out here," said Ashley Mintel, Axt's friend.

Fresno police say the truck driver tried to swerve but couldn't avoid hitting Axt, who didn't have the right of way. Axt was dragged at least 50 yards from the intersection and died as a result. It is very dark out there, so this tragic accident is another reminder to stay vigilant while walking and skateboarding at night.