3 Killed, Many Injured in Suspected DUI Crash

Three people were killed and several others were injured in a suspected DUI crash near Clairemont Friday night.

According to authorities, the deadly collision happened along northbound Interstate 805 at westbound State Route 52 at around 11:15 p.m.

California Highway Patrol officials said a 2000 Cadillac Escalade carrying six men – including a 25-year-old driver suspected of driving drunk – was likely speeding along I-805 while merging onto SR-52.

The SUV veered off the road and careened up an embankment, where the car plowed into a cement pillar and then rolled over multiple times, ultimately landing in traffic lanes.

From there, a chain reaction-style collision followed, with a silver Acura crashing into the SUV, CHP officials said. Moments later, another vehicle slammed into the Acura then traveled down the embankment across both directions of traffic on eastbound SR-52, eventually landing on the south side of the road. A third vehicle was also involved in the chain reaction collisions.

CHP officials said five of the occupants of the Escalade were not wearing their seatbelts, and four of them were ejected from the vehicle. Two of the men ejected died at the scene. The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified them as Taylor Bednarski, 29, (left) and Shon Gilliam, 23, (right) both of San Diego.

Another occupant, Jeffrey Becker, 35, who was wearing his seatbelt, was also pronounced dead at the scene, investigators confirmed.

The driver of the Escalade has been identified as William Cady, 25. As of Monday night, Cady was still in the hospital.

CHP investigators believe Cady was driving under the influence of alcohol. However, officials said they will not discuss what charges Cady faces until he is released from the hospital.

The other ejected passengers, a 23-year-old man and 25-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals.

Two of the occupants inside the other cars involved in the chain reaction suffered minor injuries and were also taken to the hospital.

CHP officials issued a SigAlert following the accident, shutting down I-805 at westbound SR-52 for hours as investigators worked to help the injures, collect evidence and clear the scene.

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