2 Killed in Wrong-Way Pauma Valley Crash

A Sig Alert has been issued for State Route 76

Two people have died in a wrong-way crash on State Route 76 in Pauma Valley on Friday morning, officials said.

A Sig Alert was issued, as SR-76 has been shut down between Pauma Valley Road and Valley Center Road, west of Palomar Mountain.

The section of roadway was reopened by 2:30 p.m.

The crash happened at about 10:30 a.m. in the 16600 block of SR-76, when the 24-year-old motorist was driving his 2002 Mazda Miata the wrong way and hit a 2014 box truck head on.

The Escondido driver of the Miata and his 27-year-old passenger of Carlsbad died instantly, California Highway Patrol officers said.

Two men in the other vehicle, a box truck -- ages 49 and 43 -- suffered minor injuries and were taken to Palomar Hospital.

Officers said the men in the box truck were unable to avoid the collision in time.

Investigators don't yet know if alcohol or drugs played a factor. The crash remains under investigation.

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