A San Diego teenager was killed when he crashed into a bridge and rolled down an embankment Friday on his way to pick up his great-grandmother in Pine Valley, officials confirmed.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the 18-year-old Campo resident, identified as James Robert Will, was due to pick up his great-grandmother at 6 a.m.
When he didn’t arrive, his family knew something was wrong. At around 12:30 p.m., his family reported him missing to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and gave officials information about where the teen was headed.
The teen’s last known location was Boulevard, about 58 miles east of downtown San Diego. Knowing this, CHP officials checked the westbound side of Interstate 8 in that area. Near the La Posta Bridge, an officer discovered some dirt in the center median that looked out of place.
When the officer looked over the side of a downhill embankment near the bridge, the officer saw the teen’s mangled Acura TSX. The teen had been thrown from the car and was declared dead at the scene.
The crash is under investigation but CHP officials believe the rainy conditions Friday morning played a role in the deadly crash. The victim was not wearing his seat belt.
Investigators believe Will lost control of his car while driving on the La Posta Bridge and collided into the railing of the bridge along the right shoulder. The Acura then spun out of control into the center median west of the bridge, CHP officials said.
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The teen’s car then launched over the side of a downhill embankment and overturned several times. He was ejected from the car as it rolled, CHP officials said.
No other motorists witnessed the collision and the wreck was not discovered until just after 1 p.m. CHP officials said the wreckage was not visible from the traffic lanes since the car landed downhill.
He was the only person inside the car.
