2 ADULTS DEAD IN CHRISTMAS EVE CRASH, BUT CHILDREN SURVIVE
Not wearing seatbelt led to ejection of driver from vehicle
East County News Service
December 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — Two women died yesterday morning after they were ejected from a vehicle that rolled over on a rain-slicked section of S-2, the Great Southern Overland Stage Route, south of State Route 78 in rural East County.
A 38-year-old woman from Escondido was driving her 2003 Nissan Xterra southbound at an unknown speed around 10:30 a.m. when the tragedy occurred. According to witnesses, she was driving on and off the roadway through standing rain water on the right shoulder when she lost control of the vehicle., which traveled up a dirt berm and overturned. The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle, which came to rest on top of her.
Another Escondido woman, 47, who was a passenger in the front seat also suffered serious injuries. Both women died at the scene.
The driver’s children, an 8 year old boy and a 13 year old girl, received minor injuries and were transported to Rady Children’s Hospital for further evaluation.
This collision remains under investigation. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in this collision, says California Highway Patrol Officer Mary Bailey.
Officer Bailey adds, “Please remind drivers this holiday weekend to wear their seatbelts.”