CHP Closes SR-125 for Fatal Crash Investigation

Celia Torres, 73, and 16-year-old grandson, David Gonzalez said to be victims of crash on Friday evening

The California Highway Patrol closed all lanes on southbound State Route 125 at Interstate 8 Wednesday morning to investigate a fiery crash that killed a woman and her grandson.

The section of highway will be closed from 9 a.m. until noon with signs detouring drivers onto Interstate 8.

Celia Torres, 73, had just picked up her grandson David Gonzalez, 16, for a dentist appointment just after 5:30 p.m. Friday when their car was struck by another on SR-125. 

Just a few minutes later, Torres and Gonzalez were killed in a fiery crash that happened when Justin Foulds, 39, rear-ended Torres' Nissan Pathfinder according to officials. 

Foulds was speeding in a Silverado pick-up truck and wasn't able to slow down as traffic slowed, CHP investigators said.

The Nissan and the truck exploded into flames.  Foulds was able to get out of the Silverado alive.

Foulds was arrested and booked on a gross vehicle manslaughter charge as well as two DUI charges, according to jail records.

At his arraignment Tuesday, Foulds pleaded not guilty.

Foulds, a Lemon Grove resident, could get 12 to 13 years in a California prison if convicted, said Deputy District Attorney Gordon Paul Davis.

Foulds has no prior record and is being held on $750,000 bail.

A readiness conference is scheduled for Dec. 22 and a preliminary hearing will be held Dec. 27.

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