The CHP is trying to determine the cause of a deadly DUI-related crash involving four cars and a driver who ran away Thursday morning on southbound Interstate 5 near State Route 54.
CHP officers responded to the crash between SR-54 and Mile of Cars Way shortly after 2:30 a.m. and found a Nissan Frontier, Honda Accord, Jeep Liberty and a Jeep Patriot were involved in a collision. All of the vehicles except the Patriot were involved in an initial collision, and then the Patriot struck the Accord after the Accord became disabled in the roadway, the CHP said.
The driver of the Accord was ejected from the car when it was hit by the Patriot. She was taken to the hospital but did not survive, according to the CHP. She has not been identified.
The driver of the Patriot was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.
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The CHP said the driver of the Frontier ran away from the scene, leaving his truck behind.
Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the crash. Alcohol and/or drugs are believed to be a factor, but the CHP did not say which driver was suspected of being under the influence.
The CHP is asking anyone who witnessed the crash to please call San Diego-area investigators at (858) 293-6000.
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All southbound lanes of I-5 were stopped after the crash and the freeway wasn't fully reopened until 6 a.m., according to Caltrans.
