One person killed in three-vehicle crash in Encinitas

A three-vehicle chain reaction crash Sept. 28 on Interstate 5 in Encinitas left one person dead, another injured and a third driver hiding from law enforcement officers.

The crashes began shortly before 3 a.m. when a 2014 Acura ILX sedan rolled over for unknown reasons in the northbound lanes north of Encinitas Boulevard, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Jim Bettencourt. The wrecked sedan came to a rest on its roof in the middle of the freeway.

The Acura’s driver died at the scene. At first, he was publicly identified only as a 22-year-old Chula Vista man.

The wreckage was then hit by a 2000 Toyota Tacoma driven by a man, who sped off following the crash, Bettencourt said. The hit-and-run driver was described as white, around 33 years old, 5 feet 10 and 170 pounds, and bald with a mustache and tattoos.

Bettencourt said he may live in Murrieta or Anaheim.

A 30-year-old San Diego woman in a 2007 Mazda 3 sedan was also somehow involved in the crash, although Bettencourt said it was unclear which vehicle she hit. She sustained minor injuries and was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, he said.

Bettencourt asked anyone with information about the crash or on the identity or the whereabouts of the missing 2000 Toyota Tacoma driver to contact the California Highway Patrol.

— By City News Service