Authorities ID Pedestrian Killed on I-8 Near Lake Jennings Road

LAKESIDE, CA — A pedestrian who was struck and killed by a box truck Monday afternoon on Interstate 8 near Blossom Valley was an 83-year-old El Centro woman, authorities reported.

Maria Elena Dowden was seen standing next to her 2003 Ford on the right shoulder of westbound I-8, just east of Lake Jennings Road at about 3:48 p.m. Monday when for unknown reasons she walked into the slow lane, according to reports from the California Highway Patrol and the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

A 2001 Toyota and a 2011 International box truck were traveling westbound toward her location, according to the CHP. The Toyota was traveling 70 mph when the driver saw Dowden and avoided hitting her by braking and turning the vehicle to the right.

The box truck was traveling behind the Toyota at 50-60 mph and attempted to avoid the collision by applying the brakes, but the front end of the truck struck Dowden and the back end of the Toyota, CHP Officer Ben Demarest stated in a report.

Witnesses called 911 and fire and medical personnel were dispatched to the scene, where Dowden's death was confirmed.

A SigAlert was issued and the slow lane was closed for nearly two hours following the collision.

No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash, according to Demarest.

The CHP is continuing its investigation of the fatal incident, but does not believe drugs or alcohol were contributing factors, Demarest said.

(Patch file photo/Maggie Avants)