A 20-year-old woman killed when she veered off a busy road, crashing into a broken down Sparkletts truck, has been identified.
Samantha Nicole Bennett, 20, was behind the wheel a 2010 Ford Focus with her 19-year-old friend at approximately 8:15 a.m. Tuesday on westbound Scripps Poway Parkway near State Route 67, Poway fire officials said.
For an unknown reason, Bennett veered off the road and rear-ended a broken down Sparkletts truck, Sgt. David Cheever said. The truck had pulled over on the shoulder near Sycamore Canyon Road.
The preliminary investigation revealed Bennett may have fallen asleep at the wheel, Cheever said. There was no indication she tried to brake prior to the crash, Cheever said.
The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time of the crash, the passenger was asleep. The passenger, partially crushed by the front end of the car, was taken in an air ambulance to Palomar Medical Center, Cheever said. She suffered a serious leg injury, injuries to her pelvis, chest contusions and other injuries. She is in critical condition.
The driver of the Sparkletts truck was injured in the crash and taken to a local hospital. At the time of the crash, he was sitting inside his truck, waiting for a tow truck to arrive.
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Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Deputy Garrett Spencer at (858) 513-2842, or call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 with information and you will remain anonymous. You may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to a felony arrest.
No further information is available.
