Woman Dies After 3-Vehicle Crash on San Diego Freeway

A Lawndale woman died Friday after an early morning crash on the San Diego Freeway south of Fairview Road.

Cecilia Jenkins, 49, died after her car collided with an auto that was stalled without headlights in the southbound lanes about 5:25 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Mel Baker said. A pickup truck, unable to avoid the collision, smashed into the rear of Jenkins’ car, Baker said. No other injuries were reported.

Jenkins, who was driving alone, was pronounced dead an hour later in the emergency room at Coastal Communities Hospital in Santa Ana, hospital spokeswoman Suzie Sgro said. She suffered severe spinal cord, rib and head injuries, the coroner’s office reported.

CHP investigators are not yet certain why the first car, driven by German Babala, 24, of North Hollywood, had stopped on the freeway with no lights, Baker said. The collision remains under investigation.