Three dead in wrong-way I-805 crash in Sorrento Valley that shut down freeway for 6 hours

Three people were killed and one was seriously injured Thursday evening in a fiery wrong-way crash that halted traffic for hours on northbound Interstate 805 near Sorrento Valley, authorities said.

The collision was reported about 4:35 p.m. near La Jolla Village Drive and Miramar Road, and all northbound lanes were blocked for about six hours, according to the California Highway Patrol. Northbound traffic was diverted off the freeway at the La Jolla Village Drive exit until two right lanes were reopened around 10:30 p.m.

Three people were killed in the collision, which left at least two vehicles engulfed in flames, CHP Officer Jake Sanchez said. Another person was seriously injured but expected to survive.

Nearly a dozen vehicles were involved, with “multiple vehicles on fire,” CHP Officer Mary Bailey said.

The collision halted rush-hour traffic a little south of where Interstates 5 and 805 meet in the “Golden Triangle.”

One witness told officers the crash was caused by a driver in a black car, possibly a Chevrolet Corvette or Lamborghini, who was speeding the wrong way in a carpool lane, according to an online CHP incident log.

The car appeared to be going more than 100 mph when it crashed head-on with another vehicle. Other witnesses said a motorcyclist appeared to be involved, and at least three vehicles were on fire.

One person who called 911 told dispatchers “the whole northbound side (of the freeway) is on fire.”

Motorists told CHP officers they heard a collision and then saw at least one of the vehicles had exploded in flames.

Mariwan Hama and his family were driving on the opposite side of the freeway when they saw dark smoke ahead of them, Hama told the Union-Tribune over the phone Thursday night. He thought the smoke’s source must be a roadside vegetation fire until they got closer and saw two vehicles engulfed in flames.

“People were running around … and someone was on the ground,” Hama said. “They were trying to help him, he was raising his hand, and they were just surrounding him.”

Police and paramedics had not yet arrived as Hama and his family drove past the wreckage. Hama said at least one person was using a small fire extinguisher to battle the heavy flames engulfing what appeared to be an SUV.

Large debris from the crash ended up in southbound lanes of the freeway, including what appeared to be an entire bumper, Hama said.

Twitter: @Alex_Riggins

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UPDATES:

11:15 p.m.: This article was updated to show that two freeway lanes were reopened.

7:55 p.m.: This article was updated with details and quotes from a witness.

6:45 p.m.: This article and its headline were updated to show three people were confirmed killed in the crash.

5:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 5:10 p.m.