Woman Veers Off I-5 Into Santa Margarita River, Dies As Car Becomes Submerged: CHP

OCEANSIDE, CA — The California Highway Patrol is investigating the death of a San Diego woman Monday afternoon north of Oceanside whose car veered off Interstate 5 and into the Santa Margarita River, where it became submerged, the California Highway Patrol reported.

At about 3:50 p.m., 74-year-old Jane Cook Lewis was driving her 2004 Chrysler Pacifica southbound on I-5 — according to witnesses at a high rate of speed — when for an unknown reason, the car veered off the roadway to the right and into the water below, according to reports from the CHP and the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

"The vehicle overturned several times prior to becoming submerged in approximately 6-8 feet of water," said CHP Officer James Bettencourt.

Personnel with Camp Pendleton Swift Water Rescue and Camp Pendleton Fire Department responded and extricated Lewis from her vehicle; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

"It is unknown if driving under the influence or a medical condition contributed to this collision," Bettencourt said. "It remains under investigation."

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