Deadly I-15 Wreck: Driver Slammed Into Pillar At 80 MPH, CHP Says

MURRIETA, CA — Emergency personnel responded Thursday to a fiery crash in the Temecula Valley area that killed one person. CHP officials say the wreck involved an SUV that slammed into a pillar underneath a freeway connector.

The crash was reported at 11:27 a.m. along the southbound side of Interstate 15, under the I-215 overpass.

CHP Officer Mike Lassig tells Patch that one person was in the 2013 Ford Explorer, and they died at the scene. No one else was in the vehicle and no other injuries were reported.

According to Lassig, witnesses spotted the person driving south on the freeway and as they approached the bridge, "the witness observed the SUV veer toward the concrete pillar and make impact at approximately 80 miles per hour without braking."

The vehicle then burst into flames.

Multiple lanes were initially blocked as a result and heavy traffic delays were reported in the area.

The CHP Temecula Area is investigating the crash.