San Diego

Wife Dead After Husband Fails to Brake at Light, Swerves Into Oncoming Traffic: ME's Office

 A 78-year-old passenger died after the driver of a sedan crossed the median and hit a traffic signal box at a busy intersection, temporarily turning the traffic lights off, San Diego police said. 

The collision happened at approximately 1:40 p.m. Friday at Hidden Valley Road and Torrey Pines Road, police and fire officials said. 

The 81-year-old unidentified driver of a 2008 Lexus sedan was driving west on Torrey Pines Road when he, for unknown reasons, crossed the median and drove across the opposite lanes, police said. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office said the man was unable to break at the traffic light. 

The driver hit the curb and a signal box, but was not injured. After the crash, the ME's office said, witnesses rushed to help the driver and passenger, identified as 78-year-old Patricia Born.

Born suffered cardiac arrest and was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.  

Traffic lights in the area went out following the crash. At least one light was still out as of 11:45 a.m. Saturday.

The crash remains under investigation.

No further information was immediately available. 

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