San Diego

2 Killed, 2 Hurt in Crash That Left Cars Mangled on El Norte Parkway in Escondido

The crash happened late Sunday night and backed up traffic throughout the morning. NBC 7’s Audra Stafford reports.

The two people killed in a crash in Escondido on Sunday night have been identified as teenagers from the city.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office (ME) said that Brandon Contreras, 19, and Ana Lira, 19, were killed when the Ford Mustang they were in was hit by a Dodge Charger at the intersection of El Norte Parkway and Ash Street, east of Interstate 15.

The Escondido Police Department (EDP) said the Charger was headed northbound on Ash Street when the driver ran a red light and hit the Mustang traveling westbound on El Norte Parkway. 

Contreras, the Mustang's driver, was unrestrained and was ejected from the vehicle. Contreras and Lira were both pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

A third person in the Mustang was transported to the hospital with traumatic injuries.

The driver of the Dodge Charger suffered traumatic injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

At the scene of the crash Monday morning, one car could be seen flipped on its head, the front crushed, while the other car was strewn across the front lawn of a home on El Norte Parkway. The residents were not home at the time of the crash, but their driveway and car were damaged.

Investigators remained on scene for hours working to determine what led to the fatal crash. EPD does believe alcohol and speed may have played a factor. 

Traffic was being re-routed as a stretch of El Norte Parkway, between Ash Street and Centre City Parkway, was closed during the investigation.

The closure lasted until about 7:15 a.m. Monday, when all roadways were reopened more than seven hours after the deadly crash occurred. 

No other information was available.

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