Coronado
One man died and two others were injured Monday in a fiery accident that closed the Coronado Bay Bridge in both directions for more than an hour. An Imperial Beach man was booked into County Jail on suspicion of felony drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter, a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman said.
The victim, whose name was not released Monday night, was burned beyond recognition after his car was hit from the rear, overturned and burned on the bridge, authorities said.
A pickup truck driven by Ronald John Owen, 19, of Imperial Beach was traveling 55 miles per hour when it struck the man’s car, catapulted over it and hit a third car, the CHP said.
Owen and his passenger, George Shannon, also 19 and of Imperial Beach, were treated for moderate injuries at Coronado Hospital, the CHP said.
The accident occurred as the victim, traveling toward San Diego on the bridge, slowed down to acknowledge that another driver was having car trouble, said Deputy Coroner George Dickason.
A California Highway Patrol spokesman said the bridge was closed from shortly after 6 p.m. until about 7:20 p.m.
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