UPDATE: Lanes gradually reopened beginning around 7:35 a.m. CHP logs also noted guardrail damage at the scene.
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A fatal traffic collision early Thursday took the lives of two people, including good samaritans. An additional four people have been transported to two separate area hospitals, one with moderate injuries and three with mild injuries, according to North County Fire Protection District (NCFPD) PIO John Choi.
Lanes were shut down on northbound Interstate 15 and caused extensive traffic backups stretching south to Escondido, according to the California Highway Patrol.
S&R Tow has been requested to the scene for evidence tows.
The crash was reported at approximately 4:09 a.m. on northbound I-15 north of 76, according to CHP incident logs.
Initial reports indicated a gray SUV struck the center divider and another vehicle spun out while a semi-truck pulled onto the right shoulder. CHP dispatch traffic later indicated vehicles were blocking portions of the roadway.
Emergency crews, including CHP officers and fire personnel, responded to the scene and began traffic control operations. Authorities issued a SigAlert for northbound I-15 and initiated lane closures.
By approximately 4:51 a.m., CHP reported both northbound lanes remained shut down from Interstate 15 while crews diverted vehicles and coordinated additional closures along the corridor.
The closure created widespread congestion in the area. Traffic delays extended for miles, with all southbound traffic backed up to Temecula as motorists encountered significant delays approaching the closure area.
At approximately 4:53 a.m., CHP logs indicated closure operations remained in effect as responders continued managing the incident.
Authorities have not released the identity of the persons killed or provided details on what led to the crash. The collision remains under investigation.
