Teen, Woman Identified in Fatal Chula Vista Wrong-Way Crash – NBC 7
TL/DR –
A 67-year-old woman, identified as Eileen Crawford, and a 16-year-old, Ryder Shoup, died in a head-on collision on Interstate 5 in Chula Vista. Crawford was driving a Honda Civic in the wrong direction on the southbound lanes of the highway, and crashed into Shoup’s Dodge Challenger, which then caught fire. A toxicology report is pending to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash, and this incident adds to a list of wrong-way crashes near the border in recent years.
Chula Vista Tragic Interstate 5 Wrong-Way Crash Claims Two Lives
A 67-year-old woman, Eileen Crawford, and a 16-year-old new father, Ryder Shoup, tragically lost their lives in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 5 in Chula Vista, as identified by family and authorities.
Crawford, driving a Honda Civic, entered southbound lanes of I-5 near the San Ysidro Port of Entry off of Camino del la Plaza around 3 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The vehicle traveled six miles in the wrong direction before colliding with a Dodge Challenger driven by Shoup, a student at Mar Vista High School.
Francisco Beltran, a neighbor and close friend of Crawford, said that she had been undergoing radiation treatments for cancer and sometimes had bouts of forgetfulness. CHP stated that the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Ryder Shoup Remembered by Friends and Community
News of the young Mar Vista High School student’s death spread quickly on social media, deeply affecting his community. His friends recall him fondly for his constant smile and upbeat demeanor.
The city of Imperial Beach expressed their grief in a released statement, “The city of Imperial Beach is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Ryder Shoup. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ryder’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Details of the Chula Vista Wrong-Way Crash
The CHP received several calls about a wrong-way driver before the crash occurred. The Dodge caught fire upon impact, with both drivers unable to escape from their vehicles, resulting in their fatalities at the scene.
A pending toxicology report from the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Officer will determine whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. Southbound I-5 was closed for several hours while authorities carried out their investigation.
Preventing Wrong-Way Crashes in San Diego
This incident adds to a concerning number of wrong-way crashes in the South Bay area in recent years, including one in San Ysidro in 2023 and a fatal crash involving two San Diego police detectives in 2021.
To help prevent such incidents, Caltrans has installed flashing LED “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs at exits across San Diego County. They have also utilized red reflective pavement to alert drivers traveling the wrong direction. These methods have resulted in a 44-64% reduction in wrong-way incidents.
Anyone with information regarding the crash is urged to contact San Diego CHP at (858) 293-6000.
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