ACCIDENTS CLAIM LIVES OF 2 EAST COUNTY WOMEN

Sylvia Earnhart, 73, El Cajon

Pamela Sue Marabeas, 53, Santee

September 21, 2009 (Santee)—Santee resident Pamela Sue Marabeas, 53, was killed early yesterday morning when the SUV she was driving was struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of Mission Gorge Road and Highway 125 in Santee. A witness called 9-1-1 and sheriff deputies responded, along with fire department personnel, but Marabeas was pronounced dead at the scene of blunt force trauma injuries, according to the San Diego Coroner’s office. The other driver was transferred to a hospital in critical condition.

Marabeas, a radiology technician, worked at Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista but resided in Santee. The accident was the second fatality in a week at the same intersection. Days earlier, an off-duty CHP officer and three family members were killed after the accelerator pedal on their vehicle jammed, according to a call made to 9-1-1.

El Cajon resident Sylvia Earnhart, 73,  was killed in a golf cart accident which occurred on September 18.  A widow, Earnhart was camping with relatives at Campland in Mission Bay. While riding on the back of the golf cart, she apparently stood as the driver of the golf cart was turning. She fell from the golf cart, striking her head. She was transported to Scripps La Jolla where she was diagnosed with a severe head injury. Despite medical intervention, she declined until her death on the morning of September 19, the San Diego Coroner's office reports.