Eastbound lanes of I-8 in San Diego reopen after police officer, another driver killed in crash

(FOX 5/KUSI) — All eastbound lanes of a stretch of I-8 in central San Diego reopened Tuesday afternoon after a series of crashes the night before killed a La Mesa police officer and another driver.

Officials said that shortly before 10:30 p.m., a vehicle hit another one and overturned in the eastbound lanes near Fairmount Avenue. A third vehicle then struck the overturned vehicle.

According to La Mesa police, Officer Lauren Craven was driving back to the city from the San Diego Central Jail and stopped to help, eventually exiting onto the highway on foot.

California Highway Patrol Captain Reggie Williams said that a fourth vehicle struck Craven and the driver of the overturned vehicle, killing both.

According to authorities, the driver of the car that had overturned was identified as a 19-year-old man. His name has not yet been released.

“This is a very tragic situation and it’s very difficult for all involved,” Williams said. "My heartfelt condolences are with the La Mesa Police Department, our fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement, as well as with the family and loved ones of the other individual who tragically lost their life in this incident."

La Mesa police said Craven was 25 and had joined the La Mesa Police Department in February 2024.

The CHP took over the investigation and said the eastbound lanes of I-8 would remain closed for several hours into Tuesday morning. It reopened around 1 p.m.

Meanwhile, four other victims involved in the crash received medical treatment and three of them were released. One person remained in the hospital as of Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities are investigating whether drugs and/or alcohol were factors in the crash. California Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.