Driver Killed In Crash Off SR-54 Into Sweetwater River

NATIONAL CITY, CA — A 69-year-old motorist was killed Friday when the SUV he was driving crashed off state Route 54 near San Diego Bay and plunged into Sweetwater River.

A witness made a 911 call about 5:40 a.m. to report seeing the westbound vehicle careen off the freeway while she was walking on a footpath just east of Interstate 5 in National City, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver and sole occupant of the Lexus SUV died at the scene, CHP public-affairs Officer Sal Castro said. The victim's name was withheld pending family notification.

One lane on the connector ramp from westbound SR-54 to southbound I-5 was closed for several hours due to the accident, Castro said.

— City News Service