SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A young child was killed, two other children were hospitalized, and a woman faces potential DUI charges after a car veered off Interstate 15 in the Deer Springs area of San Diego’s North County.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the solo vehicle crash happened just before 2:30 a.m. Wednesday off northbound I-15 near the Gopher Canyon Road exit.
CHP officials confirmed the driver was a 27-year-old San Diego woman and three children -- 5-year-old girl, 3-year-old girl, 1-year-old boy -- were passengers.
Officials the woman was driving a 2009 Hyundai Genesis on northbound I-15 when, for reasons still unclear, the car veered off the freeway and tumbled down an embankment.
The 5-year-old girl and 3-year-old girl were both ejected from the car, the CHP said. The 1-year-old boy was still in a child restraint seat following the crash.
Officials confirmed the 5-year-old girl died at the scene. The two other children both suffered critical injuries and were airlifted to Rady Children’s Hospital. There is no word on their condition.
The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital via ambulance.
CHP officials said alcohol “is suspected to be a factor in this traffic collision. The driver is facing multiple charges related to this incident including felony DUI causing death.”
The wreck and investigation prompted a Sig Alert for the area, with multiple lanes shut down during the morning commute.
Map coordinates provided by CHP:
