Driver, 22, Killed After Slamming into Tree

Witnesses told deputies the man may have been racing another car at the time of the crash

A 22-year-old man was killed Thursday after crashing his car into a tree in a San Marcos roadway, deputies confirmed.

The single-vehicle fatal collision happened in the 1000 block of East Mission Road at around 2:40 p.m.

Deputies say a white Scion TC was traveling through a curve in the road when the driver – now identified by the county medical examiner as San Marcos resident Gerardo Ali Gabriel Valerio – lost traction and slid sideways off the road.

The car hopped the curb of East Mission Road, continued sliding and struck a tree. After hitting that first tree, the Scion was redirected into another tree, causing major damage to the driver’s side.

Valerio was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff’s department said. A report later released by the medical examiner’s office said Valerio died from craniocerebral blunt force injuries sustained in the crash.

Witnesses told deputies the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash. Several witnesses said the driver could have possibly been street racing with another dark-colored vehicle.

The deadly collision remains under investigation. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department at (858) 565-5200.

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