Head-on Crashes in Ramona, Lakeside Leave 3 People Dead

Authorities said Saturday that three people died in two head-on traffic collisions Friday in eastern San Diego County--one in Ramona and one in Lakeside.

The Lakeside crash involved a suspected drunken driver who faces criminal charges, said a spokeswoman for the California Highway Patrol, which is investigating both cases.

Two of the victims died in a collision at 11:35 p.m. at Highway 67 and Dye Road in Ramona, the spokeswoman said, adding that one car crossed into the oncoming lanes, crashing into the second vehicle.

Dead at the scene was Edward Lusty Arni, 45, whose address was not immediately available, said a spokesman for the San Diego County coroner’s office. The second victim, Kenneth Roberts of Ramona, whose age was not known, died at 2:11 a.m. Saturday at Palomar Medical Center, the spokesman said.

In the other incident, two pick-up trucks collided head-on at 4:30 p.m. Friday on Lakeview Road near Los Coches Road in Lakeside, the CHP said.

The first pickup, driven by Sam Gensler, 22, of Lakeside, was westbound when his speeding vehicle reached a curve and crossed the center line, colliding with the second truck, the CHP spokeswoman said. She said Gensler is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The driver of the second truck, Doyle Montgomery, 65, of El Cajon, was taken by Life Flight helicopter to UC San Diego Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:16 p.m., authorities said. A passenger, Felipe Lutz, 25, of Lakeside, suffered moderate injuries and was listed in stable condition Saturday at Mercy Hospital.

Gensler was also taken to UC San Diego Medical Center, where he was listed in fair condition Saturday.

Gensler could face felony drunken driving and manslaughter charges, the CHP spokeswoman said.