A driver involved in a head-on collision in Poway is believed to have been under the influence of drugs and did not appear to brake prior to the crash, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO).
SDSO says the driver had been arrested just over a week ago for various charges: possession of a controlled substance, narcotic, drug paraphernalia, being under the influence and possession of metal knuckles.
On Wednesday morning, he was involved in a head-on crash with a F-150 pickup truck near the intersection of Twin Peaks and Community roads around 8:53 a.m. The crash shut down the road in both directions, Poway Fire Department officials said.
A Mazda pickup truck was traveling westbound on Twin Peaks when the driver crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into the Ford F-150, according to Sgt. David Cheever with San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO).
There was an initial report of five patients, two in critical condition, officials said.
The Mazda driver is described to be a 22-year old man from Rancho Penasquitos and his passenger was a 19-year old Poway man. The passenger struck the windshield and suffered the most serious injuries, deputies said.
Both were taken to Palomar Hospital Trauma Center.
Local
It appears that the Mazda pickup may have been involved in previous crash because there was no airbag on his side of the truck, Cheever said.
SDSO says it also appears that the driver of the Mazda did not brake before the collision.
There were three people in the Ford F-150. A 48-year old father with a 5-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl went to a nearby hospital with what were described by deputies as minor injuries.
Deputies say drug paraphernalia was also found in the Mazda.
The cause of the crash was under investigation.
The location is approximately 17 miles east of Interstate 15.
No other information was immediately available.
Check back for updates on this breaking news story.
