Wrong-Way Driver Killed in Crash With Van

A 25-year-old Huntington Beach woman driving the wrong way on Interstate 5 near Chula Vista died Thursday after crashing into a San Diego County sheriff’s van, authorities said.

A sheriff’s deputy driving the van, along with the only inmate inside, were injured, investigators said. Marla Stripling was speeding north on the southbound side of the freeway near the J Street exit about 5:20 a.m. when she struck the sheriff’s van, said Mark Gregg, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.

Although it was still dark, the woman’s Honda Civic did not have its headlights on, Gregg said. “The impact killed the driver of the wrong-way vehicle,” he said.

Deputy Albert Garcia, 18, and the inmate, 57, whose name was not immediately available, were taken to University of California, San Diego Medical Center, Sheriff’s Lt. Ron VanRaaphorst said.

Garcia suffered several broken bones and cuts on the face, but his injuries were not considered life-threatening, officials said. The inmate suffered minor injuries. Both were listed in fair condition.

The accident prompted authorities to close southbound Interstate 5 between the H Street and J Street exits for a few hours while CHP and sheriff’s officials investigated.

“Generally, if somebody gets on the freeway the wrong way, it’s normally because they’re impaired in some fashion,” Gregg said. “Whether it was alcohol or drugs, at this point it’s too early to speculate.”