The man who defied death and survived a 50-foot fall from the freeway has been identified as a Navy sailor. Kenneth Freudenvoll remains in serious condition at Sharp Memorial Hospital. As NBC 7’s Diana Guevara explains, people who drive that stretch of freeway frequently say it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.
The driver who survived a 50-foot drop off a dangerous stretch of San Diego freeway has been identified as a Navy sailor.
Kenneth “Kenny” Freudenvoll remains in serious condition at Sharp Memorial Hospital. He underwent back surgery Sunday night, his wife told NBC 7.
Freudenvoll is a diesel engine mechanic stationed at Naval Base Coronado, according to his family. He has a 5-year-old son, and his wife is currently expecting their second child.
His wife said she’s just thankful her husband is alive after seeing his mangled pickup truck.
The accident happened around 3 p.m. Sunday on the junction from westbound Interstate 8 to northbound Interstate 805 in the Mission Valley area.
Freudenvoll's truck was on the I-8 West ramp when a tan vehicle clipped him, causing him to spin out, according to the California Highway Patrol. The truck tumbled over the guardrail, hit the Dave and Buster's building and then crashed to the ground.
NBC 7 spoke to drivers who take that transition on a regular basis. They said it's not only dangerous, but that it was just a matter of time until something like this happened.
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“If you're trying to merge, what would one do if there's not enough room? There's not enough space. There's not enough forewarning for some,” Joe Green said.
“You have to look not only in the mirror, you have to look over your left, over your right, and sometimes you catch yourself merging with three or four vehicles at the same time,” Danny Bata said.
CHP is still looking for the driver of the other vehicle. Witnesses described it as a tan truck or SUV with a camper shell. CHP is trying to confirm that vehicle made contact with the victim’s truck.
CHP said Freudenvoll had no fault in the accident.
