Driver Killed, Passengers Injured In I-5 Crash In North County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — A driver was killed and his two passengers were injured after their SUV went off the freeway, crashed into a tree and overturned over the weekend in northern San Diego County, authorities said Monday.

The crash happened around 1:30 p.m. Sunday when the driver veered the vehicle to the right for unknown reasons, went off northbound I-5 near Camp Pendleton, crashed into a eucalyptus tree and rolled over, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Despite lifesaving efforts, the driver died at the scene, CHP Officer Hunter Gerber said. The passengers were taken to local hospitals to be treated for injuries not considered to be life-threatening.

The 21-year-old driver was from Inglewood, Gerber said. The 3-year-old girl and 26-year-old woman were from Riverdale, Georgia.

"It is not yet known if alcohol and/or drugs may have been a factor that contributed to the cause of this collision," said Gerber, who noted the crash remained under investigation.

Anyone with information about the crash was asked to call the Oceanside CHP office at 760-643-3400.