A deadly head-on crash killed a 74-year-old driver in Ramona Thursday night, officials confirmed.
A teenager faces charges of vehicular manslaughter for his role in the fatal accident that occurred in the 21000-block of San Vicente Road around 7:45 p.m.
The victim, a 74-year-old driver of a red Ford Ranger was killed on impact officials said.
The 19-year-old suspect was handcuffed and put in a patrol car.
The Lakeside teenager was driving northbound on San Vincente Road when his pickup drifted across the center line.
Officials say the teenager was reaching for a box that had fallen on the floor of his truck moments before the crash.
The vehicles collided head on at a speed of around 55 miles per hour according to CHP officers.
Neighbor Matt Ford said he saw the impact as he was pulling out of his own driveway.
He saw a bunch of debris and dust flying up in the air and a vehicle that looked like it had rolled over several times.
Ford said the driver was pinned inside the truck until paramedics arrived.
Local
CHP officer Brian Kattke says distracted driving intentional or not can have serious consequences and penalties.
"If we take our eyes off the road for a couple of seconds, we're endangering ourselves and the public around us," said Kattke.
Ford said the twisty road is the only route into the San Diego Estates housing area and he feels it should be widened.
Some residents agree and would like to see the road straightened to make it safer. Others would rather preserve the natural beauty and scenic drive.
"I'd give a tree for a life," Ford said.
