News

Jul 23, 2023

Driver critically injured after crashing under semi on I

A driver suffered life-threatening injuries after colliding into the back of a

A driver suffered life-threatening injuries after colliding into the back of a semi and becoming partially stuck under the trailer Wednesday evening on Interstate 15 in Fallbrook, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 6:20 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the freeway near Mission Road, North County Fire Protection District Capt. John Choi said.

#MissionIC Lanes 3 & 4 are blocked. Expect delays on NB 15 Freeway north of Mission Road in Fallbrook.

Witnesses told California Highway Patrol dispatchers the front end of the car ended up lodged beneath the semi's trailer, according to a CHP incident log. A photo provided by the Fire Protection District showed the front end of the car mangled and stuck beneath the big rig.

The driver — believed to be a woman, according to what witnesses told CHP dispatchers — was the only occupant of the Volkswagen Golf TDI hatchback, Choi said. Firefighters arrived within eight minutes of the crash and were able to free the victim from the wreckage.

Paramedics took the injured driver to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido with serious, life-threatening injuries, Choi said.

Though the crashed vehicles ended up on the right shoulder of the freeway, the rescue operation and the equipment needed for it required firefighters to shut down the two right lanes of the freeway, Choi said. All lanes of the freeway were reopened about two hours later, according to the CHP incident log.

No additional details about the crash or the victim were available late Wednesday.