Update May 18, 2018: Sajjad Hameed Ismael, 20, driver of 2001 Toyota, has been charged with felony hit and run causing death/injury, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license. He was also booked on outstanding warrants.

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

May 17, 2018 (San Diego) -- Four lanes of Interstate 8 West at Waring Road in the College area are expected to remain closed this evening for investigation and clean-up following a fatality crash. The multi-vehicle collision that occurred this afternoon killed a passenger in a Toyota Avalon and has prompted a SIG Alert.

According to the Cailfornia  Highway Patrol, the Avalon driver struck a slow-moving vehicle and veered onto a hill, struck several trees and then rolled back down onto the freeway.

October 22, 2013 (La Mesa) – A motorcyclist suffered a fractured arm and abrasions when he was struck from behind in a three-vehicle collision at 3:43 p.m. today at the junction of Interstate 8 and State Route 94.

According to the CHP, an Acura Integra driven by a 21-year-old from Spring Valley traveling westbound on I-8 was attempting to take a transition road to southbound 125 when traffic came to an abrupt stop. The driver swerved and skidded into the next lane, striking a Honda Magna motorcycle from behind and ejecting its driver onto the roadway.  The Acura also struck a Suburban driven by a 59-year-old Bonita man.

November 7, 2011 (San Diego's East County) - At least 10 vehicles are now involved in multiple crashes on I-8 West near the Severin/Fuerte and Grossmont exits at the boundary of La Mesa and El Cajon. Those exits serve the Mt. Helix and Grossmont High School areas.

Update 10:25 p.m.: CHP reports only minor injury in this accident, which is now cleared.
February 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A Ford vehicle has plunged 200 feet over the side and rolled down into a canyon after losing control on rain-slicked I-8 just east of Highway 79. According to California Highway Patrol’s website, at least one person is trapped inside.

A rescue effort is in progress, involving 200 feet of cable down the steep side of the canyon.

July 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County) --A woman is distraught and threatening to jump off a bridge over Eastbound highway 54 near the 805 junction, Incident Page Network reported at 6:05 p.m.   

Traffic is also slow on westbound I-8 due to two major accidents, including a rollover at Fairmont where a vehicle rolled down an embankment, forcing a road closure.  A second accident has occured near College Avenue.