Passersby Help Officers Search Sweetwater River for Submerged Vehicle After Fatal Collision

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Authorities say a Jeep went off an overpass in National City, prompting an emergency response | Credit: SIDEO | Click on image to enlarge

My Citizen App woke me at 1AM with the following news blast:

"A fatal crash occurred on the SR-54 connector to southbound I-5 in Chula Vista, sending a Toyota RAV4 off a bridge into the water below. The incident, which happened around 1AM, involved reports of racing between the SUV and another vehicle. Emergency crews halted traffic to recover the submerged vehicle."

This from 619 News Media who filmed at the scene:

OVERPASS HORROR:

Two Dead After Jeep Plunges Off SR-54 Overpass

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. — Two people were killed early Sunday morning after a violent two-vehicle crash sent a Jeep plunging off an SR-54 overpass and into a canal below.

The crash happened around 12:53 a.m. on SR-54 westbound near Interstate 5, according to authorities.

Investigators say the collision caused one vehicle — a Jeep — to go off the overpass, crashing between the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 5 before landing in a canal below.

First responders launched a large rescue effort to reach the occupants trapped inside the vehicle. One female occupant was extricated from the wreckage, while another victim remained inside the Jeep until crews were able to recover the vehicle from the canal with the help of a tow truck.

Authorities say a 50-year-old male who had been in the canal for nearly three hours was eventually pulled from the water and pronounced deceased. Officials later confirmed two occupants inside the Jeep died as a result of the crash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhlzc2COimw

A witness, Juan Diego, told 619 News Media that he and a friend had just finished a fishing trip when they suddenly saw the vehicle fly off the freeway at a very high rate of speed.

According to the witness, he and his friend drove back and searched for about 10 minutes before locating the wreckage in the canal below. By the time they found the vehicle, he said it was already too late. Firefighters arrived moments later.

The male driver of the second vehicle, who remained on the bridge following the crash, was arrested on suspicion of DUI, authorities said.

The circumstances leading up to the crash remain under investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Information from the scene was also provided by National City Fire Battalion Chief Scott Robinson.

Here's the tamer version from FOX 5-KUSI:

Jeep Plunges Off SR-54 Bridge Into Canal in National City

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A crash involving a Jeep on State Route 54 in National City prompted a dramatic rescue early Sunday, authorities said.

As confirmed by National City Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Robinson, the incident unfolded shortly before 1 a.m. when a Jeep was traveling northbound on Interstate 5 to the SR-54 transition.

For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle went over the side of the highway, plummeting into a canal below.

Chief Robinson said a dive team and lifeguards were called to the scene to assist in rescue and recovery operations.

When asked if there were any fatalities, the fire official said at least two people are suspected dead, though he could not confirm just yet. He did say one other person was pulled from the water. Their condition is unknown at this time.

Witnesses at the scene reported seeing the Jeep “completely fly off the bridge into the water,” which prompted them to pull over and contact local authorities. They directed police to the location of the crash.

“We were attempting to go into the lake, but they [police] were suggesting that we didn’t because of how unsafe it could have been,” the bystander stated.

No additional details have been made available at this time. FOX 5/KUSI is working to gather more information.