SUV Crashes Into Semi-Truck on Old Highway 395 Killing Teen in Front Seat

A child riding in an SUV was killed in a collision with a semi-truck Tuesday near the intersection of Rainbow Valley Boulevard and Old Highway 395.

According to the North County Fire District, a mother was driving with her two children when their Honda Passport collided with a semi-truck towing two rock hauling trailers around 4:45 p.m.

One of the children, a 13-year-old boy riding in the front seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. The mother was taken to Palomar Hospital with major injuries and the other child, a 6-year-old girl, was flown to Rady Children's Hospital, NCFD said.

Police say both the Honda and the semi-truck simultaneously attempted to enter the intersection when they collided. The Honda was pushed to the right shoulder and struck an overhead light.

Both vehicles had front-end damage and were seen disabled on the side of the road.

A section of Old Highway 395 near the crash is shut down to traffic. Officials said traffic on the highway and on Interstate 15 would be delayed for up to two hours.

The NCFD said Highway 395 south of Rainbow Valley Boulevard will be closed until at least 1 a.m. Tuesday. Drivers will have to access Rainbow Glen or Rainbow Valley Boulevard from another direction.

The crash sparked a small brush fire on a hillside along the highway that was quickly extinguished.

The incident remains under investigation.