SAN DIEGO — Four people are dead and one injured following a rollover crash on the eastbound side of State Route 94 in San Diego.
A black BMW M3 was driving on SR94, just west of Home Avenue at a high rate of speed, according to the California Highway Patrol.
For reasons still under investigation, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over at approximately 2:24 a.m. on Thursday.
A 26-year-old man from La Mesa was driving the vehicle along with four other passengers who were inside.
The driver and three of the passengers who were ejected when the car rolled were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the CHP, the deceased passengers include a 35-year-old man from Chula Vista, a 20-year-old woman from National City and a 33-year-old woman, her address unknown.
"It's devastating for the families, especially today, going into a holiday, waking up knowing your son or daughter passed away in a crash," said CHP Officer Salvador Castro.
The only survivor of the crash was a 22-year-old woman from San Marcos. The CHP said she was also the only one wearing her seatbelt. She suffered minor injuries. She was taken to a local area hospital for treatment.
"We try to stress it as much as we can. Don't drink and drive and wear your seatbelt. That's our biggest messages," said Officer Castro.
The crash happened during CHP's maximum enforcement period, a safety effort where extra law enforcement works to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and deaths during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.
Officer Castro said the overnight hours are tough, particularly right when the bars close.
"Our officers are out looking for these drivers, sometimes we get these crashes," he said.
The San Diego Medical Examiner’s toxicology report is still pending to determine if drugs or alcohol were a factor in this incident. The identities of the deceased are being withheld until the families have been notified.
All eastbound lanes of State Route 94 west of Home Avenue were shut down for about four and a half hours so authorities could investigate.
California Highway Patrol is actively investigating this incident. If any member of the public witnessed this crash, you are urged to contact the CHP San Diego Area at (858) 293-6000.