Several people, who were in a vehicle that was part of a funeral procession, were seriously injured in a head-on crash on August 2, 2024.
According to investigators, the crash involved a Toyota 4Runner SUV and a 2020 Toyota Model 86 sedan in the 6100 block of Carroll Road, near the intersection with Pacific Heights Boulevard. The driver and front-seat passenger suffered catastrophic injuries, according to officials. All five people in the SUV were treated at a local hospital.
Police said the sedan was traveling at a high rate of speed before it hit the SUV head-on. “At this point, we’re seeing that one of the vehicles was traveling at a high rate of speed,” said San Diego Police Lt. Jake Resch. “That vehicle, due to the speed, lost control and drifted over the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision with our second vehicle.”
A witness, who was driving behind the SUV involved in the collision, said the SUV was sent airborne.
“This car came careening around that bend very fast, and I told my wife, ‘ Look at this guy,’ ’cause the guy is flying,” he said. “And she looks up, and we’re watching it, and then we watch it, and he’s not slowing down. He just starts sliding right over the lanes.”
Four of the victims were taken to Scripps La Jolla, with the remaining victims sent to Sharp Memorial.
Police said the 4Runner driver’s spine, left ankle, and sternum were broken in the wreck, while a passenger in the SUV also broke his spine and sustained internal bleeding. Another passenger in that vehicle suffered broken ribs and also had internal bleeding. The driver of the sedan broke both legs, his pelvis, and left arm.
The initial investigation indicated that speed may have been a factor in the incident. Later, police said driving under the influence of drugs was determined to be a factor in the incident.
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