POWAY (CBS 8/CNS) - Officials are investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a role in a fatal crash involving a fire engine and a car at a Poway intersection early Thursday morning.
The public-safety vehicle struck the Honda at Poway and Midland roads and pushed it into a roadside light pole about 4 a.m., according sheriff's officials.
The three people in the fire engine were unhurt and came to the aid of the motorist and his passenger, Lt. Jeff Duckworth said.
A 19-year-old woman riding in the car died at the scene, Lt. Clayton Lisk said. She was identified by officials as Evelyn Jean Courtney of Poway.
Medics took the Honda's 44-year-old male driver to a hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The occupants of the fire engine told investigators they had entered the road crossing on a green light, with their emergency flashers and siren activated.
An open alcohol container was found inside the Honda, sheriff's officials said.
The intersection remained closed for investigations and cleanup until shortly after 11 a.m., prompting a traffic alert for the heavily traveled area.
