One person was killed and three others were hurt in a two-vehicle crash near the southbound Interstate 15 in Escondido, authorities said Tuesday.
It happened about 3:30 p.m. Monday on Del Lago Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol and Escondido police.
An 81-year-old man driving a black 1998 Jaguar XK6 south on Interstate 15 in the HOV lanes exited at the HOV off-ramp to Del Lago Boulevard at or near freeway speed, failed to stop at a traffic signal and broadsided a white 1996 Toyota Avalon that was westbound on Del Lago Boulevard, Escondido police Lt. Scott Walters said.
"The front seat passenger in the Toyota suffered multiple traumatic injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene," Walters said. The Jaguar driver was hospitalized in critical condition and his 51-year-old female passenger was in serious but stable condition, he said. The 43-year-old man driving the Toyota was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
"Both the passenger of the Toyota and the driver of the Jaguar were unrestrained at the time of the collision," Walters said.
Police did not reveal the age or sex of the deceased victim. The name of the victim was withheld pending family notification.
It was not known whether alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the crash, Walters said.
The CHP shut down the on and off-ramps at Del Lago Boulevard, as well as the carpool lane, at 4:53 p.m. They were reopened at about 11:50 p.m.
