Motorcyclist ‘Didn't Stand a Chance' in Deadly Wrong-Way DUI Crash on I-5: CHP

The deadly collision happened just after 5:15 a.m. on Interstate 5 in San Ysidro

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials said a motorcyclist “didn’t stand a chance” when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 5 in San Ysidro Saturday morning.

The CHP said the DUI suspect, in a Mazda 3, was driving northbound in the southbound I-5 lanes north of Dairy Mart Road. The motorcyclist – identified for now only as a 27-year-old man – was traveling the right way. The Mazda collided head-on into the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist died at the scene. 

Officials said the impact of the crash caused the Mazda to spin out on the freeway. Soon after that, a Dodge pickup truck approached the area and clipped the Mazda. There were three people inside the truck; the driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. The passengers were not hurt.

The DUI suspect was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He will be arrested on suspicion of DUI, officials said. No one else was inside the Mazda.

Southbound I-5 was immediately blocked off to traffic following the deadly crash. At around 7 a.m., one lane was reopened. Officials were working to tow the Mazda and clean up the roadway.

No further details were released, including the names of both the suspect and the victim.

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