UPDATE: all Northbound lanes open as of 1:54a.m.
A multi-vehicle collision involving a vehicle fire prompted a massive emergency response and an extended SigAlert on northbound Interstate 15 near State Route 76 late Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, leaving individuals with injuries of unknown severity.
The incident began at 10:58 p.m. when an unknown sedan was reported blocking the No. 2 lane with its hazard lights on. The situation quickly escalated to a collision involving a red Tesla and a Jeep, with a San Diego Police Department motor unit advising that three vehicles were possibly involved. Following the crash, dispatchers noted that the red Tesla caught on fire.
Emergency logs indicated that multiple people had exited their vehicles and a male was laying on the ground in the traffic lanes. Scanner traffic captured during the incident indicated an urgent request for emergency medical services following reports of a male down on the right shoulder; however, all individuals involved are currently reported to be with injuries of unknown severity pending official confirmation. North County Fire Protection District and Vista Fire Department units, including Engine 114, Medic 11, and Medic 151, were rapidly dispatched to the scene to assist.
The collision resulted in a complete blockage of all northbound lanes, leading the California Highway Patrol to issue a SigAlert at 11:19 p.m. Authorities worked to clear the hazard, successfully reopening the No. 3 and No. 4 lanes by 11:59 p.m.
As of 1:24 a.m. Thursday, the No. 1 and No. 2 lanes remain blocked. San Diego Hazardous Materials unit HAZ2 and North County Fire Protection District Engine 114 are still on the scene. Motorists should expect the lanes to be closed for an extended time to allow for a thorough scene investigation and hazardous materials removal and decontamination. Towing services have been requested to recover the involved vehicles for evidence once the area is deemed safe.
