Downtown San Diego

One person dead in multi-vehicle crash that closed northbound I-5 near downtown over weekend

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One person is dead after a multi-car crash caused a two-hour closure on northbound Interstate 5 in downtown over the weekend.

At around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, the California Highway Patrol received a call about a Nissan Altima blocking the middle lanes of northbound I-5 just south of State Route 163 near downtown. That is when a Nissan Versa crashed into it and stopped between two left lanes facing east. That is when four people inside the Nissan Versa exited and stood in the traffic lanes, CHP said. Then, investigators say a white BMW 428i sedan crashed into the Nissan Versa and struck two people standing in the traffic lanes.

The two people were taken to a nearby hospital with major injuries. A man, identified by CHP as a 37-year-old Mexican national, was later pronounced dead.

Once CHP arrived at the scene, they did a full closure of NB I-5 for about two hours. Traffic was backed up on northbound lanes of I-5 south of State Route 94 and westbound SR-94 to northbound I-5, according to CHP.

Investigators do not think alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.

The name of the person deceased is being withheld until the family is notified.

CHP is asking if anyone witnessed the crash to contact them at (858) 694-2895.

No other information was available.

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