NBC 7’s Liberty Zabala speaks with a neighbor who witnessed a deadly crash on Avocado Avenue in El Cajon. The witness, along with another neighbor, rushed to try to help the victims.
A man was killed in a crash Friday morning along a busy stretch of roadway in El Cajon, officials confirmed.
The crash, which happened around 4:15 a.m. along the 1800 block of Avocado Avenue, involved two cars -- a Ford Ranger truck and a Mazda sedan. Officers with the El Cajon Police Department (ECPD) told NBC 7 that the truck was traveling southbound when, for unknown reasons, the sedan veered into it.
The impact of the collision destroyed both cars.
Two people were trapped inside the wrecked cars; both drivers were rushed to local hospitals. They are expected to survive.
A passenger in the sedan, who was between 25 and 30 years old, died at the scene, police said. He has not yet been identified by authorities.
Officers blocked off traffic on the road in both directions, between Chase Avenue and Fuerte Drive, immediately following the collision so emergency crews could help the injured and begin collecting evidence. Motorists were advised to take an alternate route.
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The ECPD said the road will likely remain closed until at least 12 p.m.
Liz Schudder, who lives near the scene of the crash, told NBC 7 she heard a loud bang and rushed outside to see what was happening in her neighborhood.
Schudder said all three victims were hurt. The driver of the truck was bleeding, she said and the woman driving the Mazda appeared to have suffered a leg injury, the witness said.
Schudder said another witness helped pull the driver of the Mazda out of the car. That woman also stayed at the scene to pray.
The investigation is ongoing.
The two drivers and passenger involved in the crash have not yet been identified. The ECPD said the woman driving the Mazda is 21 years old, while the driver of the Ford is approximately 20 years old.
ECPD Lt. Stephen Kirk said it is unknown, at this point, if driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs played a factor in this crash. Kirk said it is unknown what, if any, charges may be filed just yet.
Anyone with information on this deadly crash can reach out to ECPD investigators at (619) 579-3311.
No other information was available.
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Check back for updates on this developing story.
