Driver Killed After Slamming Into Trees

A driver was killed on northbound Interstate 5 near La Jolla Wednesday after slamming his car into a tree, authorities said.

For unknown reasons, a driver in a white sedan went off the road and into an embankment near Nobel Drive at around 2:10 p.m., crashing sideways into a group of trees, officials said.

Several drivers passing by pulled over to the side of the road to call police.

When emergency crews arrived, the driver was trapped inside the car. The driver died upon impact with the trees, Officer Kevin Rinehart said.

News helicopter video showed the vehicle wound up between two trees just a ways off the freeway. The car was severely wrecked, especially the front end and sides.

No other vehicles were involved in the wreck.

Officer Rinehart said the driver traveled right off the road and possibly went airborn before slamming into the trees in the embankment.

"The car essentially wrapped aroung the tree itself," explained Officer Rinehart.

Officials are investigating the cause of the crash, as well as the speed of the driver.

A SigAlert was issued for the area at 2:30 p.m. and police provided traffic control as investigators processed the scene.