Distraught Dad Dies in Wrong Way Wreck

His son and wife were involved in a deadly wreck on Interstate 8

A man has died after intentionally causing a wrong way crash on Interstate 8 after learning that his son and wife were involved in a deadly rollover accident on the same stretch of freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Sunil Sambhi allegedly made threats over the phone to someone at the Medical Examiner’s Office before heading westbound in the eastbound number one lane of Interstate 8 at about 1:15 p.m., according to investigators.

Witnesses say Sambhi was driving erratically near Tavern Road.

“There was a car coming towards him, a Gold Grand Marquis Mercury. The driver of the Mercury tried to swerve to the right and at that time the driver of the Scion that was traveling towards him the wrong way intentionally swerved and struck this vehicle head on,” said California Highway Patrol spokesperson Brian Pennings.

Sambhi was airlifted to a local hospital, but later died.

Two people in the Mercury suffered “moderate” injuries, according to Pennings.

“It’s a deliberate act and we will be investigating it as an intentional attempted suicide,” said Pennings.

The California Highway Patrol says Sambhi had learned that his 16-year-old had died in an earlier crash.

Sambhi’s wife, Natalia Sambhi, 55, was driving westbound on Interstate 8 near Dunbar Lane at about 7 a.m. on Thursday when she lost control of her Toyota Tacoma, according to the CHP.

Witnesses say something seemed to go wrong with a tire. The truck rolled off the freeway onto Old Highway 80.

The couple’s son, Devon Sambhi, 16, was in the passenger seat was not wearing a seat belt, according to the CHP. He was ejected from the truck.

The 16-year-old, a Granite Hills High School student, died at the scene.

Natalia Sambhi sustained internal injuries and was airlifted to Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Investigators say Sunil Sambhi had a history of gun use and violence.

The passengers Sambhi hit were transported to the hospital. Mark Caro, 44 and his 19-year-old Eduardo son had moderate injuries and have been released from Sharp Hospital.

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