[SAN DIEGO (Multiple Freeways), Sat Jan 4 · Early Morning]
Rain-slicked roads contributed to three separate freeway crashes across San Diego early Saturday, snarling traffic on SR-94, I-805, and I-15 and prompting lane closures, arrests, and a hazardous materials response.
The first crash occurred just after midnight on SR-94 eastbound near I-805, where a pickup truck drifted off the roadway and struck a guardrail before becoming high-centered on a concrete barrier. The driver was not injured but was arrested on suspicion of DUI after an evaluation at the scene. Traffic breaks were briefly used while officers secured the area and arranged for a tow.
About an hour later, a far more dangerous situation unfolded on I-805 southbound near El Cajon Boulevard. A disabled car, left dark in an active lane after its occupants fled, was struck by a white Acura that failed to see it in time. Several near-collisions including with a passing ambulance were reported before CHP shut down all southbound lanes to prevent further crashes. The Acura’s driver was taken to a hospital for evaluation, and investigators later documented damage to a center-divider attenuator.
The most disruptive incident came before dawn on I-15 northbound at I-8, where an Amazon semi truck crashed into the center divider, triggering a multi-vehicle collision and a diesel fuel spill estimated at roughly 50 gallons. Fire crews reported damage to the truck’s fuel tank, prompting a HazMat response and a SIG Alert as Caltrans crews worked to contain the spill and assess roadway damage.
While injuries across the three crashes were limited, officials say the incidents underscore the risks of overnight driving in wet conditions, particularly when visibility is reduced and disabled vehicles remain in active lanes.
