Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

14-year-old car accident victim who sustained fatal injuries identified as Dana Jean Morofski of Fallbrook

UPDATE: The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office has released the identity of the 14-year-old girl that sustained fatal injuries in the four-vehicle accident that occurred Thurs., April 17 on South Mission Road. She has been identified as Dana Jean Morofski of Fallbrook.

(former update)

*UPDATE: Medical Examiner says fatality in South Mission Rd. multi-vehicle accident was a 14-year-old Fallbrook girl

Debbie Ramsey

Managing Editor

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office has reported that the young woman killed in a multi-vehicle car accident late yesterday afternoon, Thurs., April 17, on South Mission Road was "a 14-year-old Caucasian female who resided in Fallbrook."

Officials have not released the identity of the girl yet.

The Medical Examiner went on to state that the girl was "the front seat passenger of a vehicle traveling northbound on S. Mission Road. The driver apparently lost control and swerved into the southbound lane, colliding with a pickup truck. 9-1-1 was called and officers responded to the location along with fire personnel. Upon arrival, paramedics confirmed her death due to obvious blunt force trauma."

**Watch this site for more updates as information becomes available from authorities.**

(previous story, Fri., April 18, 8 a.m.)

UPDATE: One young woman dead, two men in life-threatening condition after multiple cars crash on South Mission Road

Debbie Ramsey

Managing Editor

As the investigation continues into the fatal crash that occurred on Thursday afternoon, April 17, shortly after 4 p.m. on South Mission Road just north of Monserate, the California Highway Patrol has provided another update for Village News readers. Due to the nature of the crash and the injuries suffered by the individuals in the vehicles, it has been challenging for investigating officers to piece together the actual chain of events.

According to Officer Jim Bettancourt, the following is information that is deemed more accurate than previous assumptions:

"On April 17 at approximately 4:02 p.m., a 20-year-old male from Escondido was driving his 2000 Honda Civic northbound on South Mission Road near Via Monserate at an unknown speed. For unknown reasons, the driver veered to the left, crossed the double yellow line and collided into a 2005 Nissan Titan driven by a 61-year-old male from Fallbrook."

"After that collision, the Honda slid sideways into the southbound lane and was broadsided on the passenger side by a 1993 Toyota Pickup driven by a 61-year-old male."

"The passenger in the Honda, an unidentified female in her early teens was killed instantly. The driver suffered major life-threatening injuries and was transported via medical helicopter to Sharp Hospital in San Diego. The driver of the pickup that broadsided the Honda suffered neck and chest injuries and was transported to Palomar Hospital."

"The Nissan Titan from the first collision lost control, crossed over the northbound lane and went up an embankment. The truck rolled over on top of a 2008 Toyota Tundra driven by a 27-year-old male from Fallbrook. Both drivers suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Palomar Hospital."

South Mission Rd was closed in both directions for several hours for the investigation. It's unknown if alcohol or drugs played a factor in this collision. It remains under investigation."

(previous version of story)

One young woman dead, two men in life-threatening condition after multiple cars crash on South Mission

Debbie Ramsey

Managing Editor

While information is still not complete, so far it is known that one person was killed, two are in life-threatening condition and two more are injured (non-life-threatening condition) as a result of what appears to be two vehicle crashes in the same area shortly after 4 p.m. today (Thurs., April 17) on South Mission Road, just north of Via Monserate in Fallbrook.

According to updates as they are coming in, the crashes involved a total of four vehicles with a combined number of five people traveling in them.

Since the crash scenes occurred on the South Mission grade between the north and south points of Heller's Bend, it is likely that the second crash may have taken place due to a driver trying to avoid the first crash. (This will likely be clarified/confirmed by a forthcoming CHP report)

According to CHP Officer Jim Bettancourt, "An unidentified 20-year-old male was driving his 2000 Honda Civic (registered to a Fallbrook address, but driver's license lists residence as Escondido) northbound on South Mission Road, near Via Monserate, at an unknown speed. For unknown reasons the driver lost control and swerved to the left, crossing the double yellow lines into the southbound lane."

Bettancourt said the Honda was sideways in the southbound lane when it "was broadsided on the passenger side by a 1993 Toyota Pickup driven by a 61-year-old male."

Bettancourt said the passenger in the Honda, a yet unidentified female in her teens or early 20s was "killed instantly; the driver suffered major, life-threatening injuries and was transported via medical helicopter to Sharp Hospital in San Diego. The driver of the pickup suffered neck and chest injuries (life-threatening) and was transported to Palomar Hospital."

Bettancourt said a secondary collision "occurred when a 2005 Nissan Titan, driven by a 61-year-old male from Fallbrook was traveling southbound and swerved to avoid the first collision. The truck lost control, crossed over the,northbound lane, and went up an embankment. The truck rolled over on top of a 2008 Toyota Tundra driven by a 27-year-old male from Fallbrook."

"Both drivers suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Palomar Hospital," said Bettancourt.

According to both Bettancourt and John Buchanan, public information officer for North County Fire, the scene of the crashes was quite severe, with grave injuries and a large amount of debris on the roadway.

"It was very chaotic," said Buchanan. "We had lots of bystanders in shock, debris and wreckage everywhere." The elongated accident led to that portion of South Mission Road being closed and traffic diverted onto Heller's Bend for approximately 2 1/2 hours.

According to Bettancourt, the crashes are still under investigation and the names of those involved are not being released at this time.

The identity of the young woman killed will most likely be released by the Medical Examiner's Office after notification to family has occurred.

***Watch this site for updates as they become available.***

(earlier story)

ALERT: Major accident involving 5 vehicles causes blockage of South Mission Road; emergency air transport requested by responders

EARLY REPORT -- At shortly after 4 p.m. today (Thurs., April 17), the California Highway Patrol and North County Fire responded to a major accident on South Mission Road at Via Monserate.

The incident reportedly involves 5 vehicles and early indicators are that one or more persons have sustained major injuries. Reports indicate that air medical transport has been ordered.

The incident is blocking South Mission Road in both directions at this time. Authorities posted at both north and south Heller Bend connectors are requesting that vehicles turn around.

***Watch this site for updates as they become available.***

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/28/2024 05:14