A head-on crash on state Route 67 in Poway killed one driver and seriously injured another Thursday, Oct. 8, shutting down the highway in both directions for about eight hours.
The collision was reported at 6:08 a.m. on SR-67 north of Poway Road and involved two pickup trucks, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office said. A northbound driver crossed into the southbound lane and struck a truck heading south, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, which first reported details of the crash.
One driver died at the scene. The other driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Neither driver's identity had been released as of Thursday afternoon.
Deputies and firefighters responded and began medical aid immediately, sheriff's officials said. Sheriff's Lt. Joe Barry confirmed the department is investigating the collision.
Closures blocked SR-67 traffic for hours
The crash forced closures in both directions along SR-67, a key route connecting Poway to Ramona and the backcountry. Southbound lanes were shut down at Archie Moore Road. Northbound drivers were diverted west at Poway Road.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office said on X Thursday morning that drivers should expect traffic delays in the area for hours. As of early Thursday afternoon, both directions remained closed, the Union-Tribune reported.
The highway reopened in all directions around 2:05 p.m., roughly eight hours after the initial report, the Sheriff's Office announced on X.
Sheriff's team reviewing video in crash investigation
The sheriff's accident reconstruction team is assisting with the investigation. Deputies have obtained video footage they hope will help determine what caused the collision, sheriff's officials said.
No cause has been determined. The identities of both drivers and the condition of the hospitalized driver beyond "serious injuries" have not been updated.
Residents with information about the crash can contact the San Diego County Sheriff's Office at (858) 868-3200 or by email at [email protected].
