Officials ID Man Killed After Crashing Into Tree

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office has identified a man killed in Rancho Santa Fe Tuesday morning after he slammed his car into a tree.

Mark E. Mullen, 56, was involved in the deadly crash just after 6 a.m. at Via de la Valle and Via de Santa Fe. Mullen, for unknown reasons, drifted off the roadway and plowed his Nissan Versa into a tree.

He was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla but died shortly thereafter from injuries sustained in the collision.

Mullen was a widower who lived in Fallbrook, according to the medical examiner.

California Highway Patrol said the accident is under investigation but it appears speeding was at play. No other vehicles or victims were involved.

Via de la Valle was closed between Via de Santa Fe and Paseo Delicias while crews cleared the crash.

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