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Rancho San Diego

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A 63-year-old woman was killed Thursday when the car in which she was a passenger crossed the center divider on California 94 and collided with an on-coming pickup truck, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Witnesses told authorities that the westbound car driven by Linda Chula, 40, was traveling at a high speed during the morning rush hour when it crossed into the eastbound lanes and was struck broadside by a pickup driven by Patrick Simmons, 33, of San Diego.

Chula’s mother, Lillian Marie Haithe of Clairemont, was pronounced dead at the scene. Chula and Simmons were taken by Life Flight helicopter to Mercy Hospital, where Chula was listed in critical condition and Simmons in serious condition late Thursday.

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Deputy Coroner George Dickason said Chula reportedly was driving erratically before losing control of her car.

The accident forced authorities to close California 94 and divert rush-hour traffic onto adjacent streets.

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