Northbound I-15 Near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard: A Father Stops to Help on the Median and Is Killed in a Chain of Crashes
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (October 26, 2026): A man in his 60s was killed in a San Diego I-15 crash early Monday, October 26, 2026, after he stopped on the northbound freeway near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard to help his daughter, whose car had broken down, according to the California Highway Patrol. NBC 7 San Diego and FOX 5/KUSI reported the crash, citing CHP.
The crash happened at about 3:30 a.m. near State Route 52, CHP said. The daughter’s vehicle had a mechanical problem, possibly a flat tire, and was stopped along the center median with several children inside. She called her father, who arrived in a minivan and stopped nearby, according to CHP. At some point the minivan was broadsided on the driver’s side by a Toyota Corolla, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The impact set off more collisions, CHP said. FOX 5 reported, citing CHP Sgt. Ray Scheidnes, that the Corolla was then hit from behind by a fourth vehicle and that a fifth vehicle sideswiped one of them. The drivers of the Corolla and the fourth vehicle were taken to a hospital, and the woman and the children in the disabled car were not hurt, according to FOX 5. NBC 7 reported that CHP does not believe drugs or alcohol were factors. All northbound lanes were closed for hours and reopened around 8:45 a.m.
CHP has not released the man’s name, and it has not said how fast the Corolla was traveling, which way the minivan was facing when it was hit or whether its hazard lights were on. Investigators said they are still working to determine the minivan’s position. Witnesses are asked to call the CHP San Diego Area office at (858) 293-6000.
Liability for a San Diego I-15 Crash
California Civil Code § 1714 generally makes every person responsible for harm caused by a failure to use ordinary care, including care in driving. Vehicle Code § 22350, the basic speed law, prohibits driving faster than is reasonable or prudent for the visibility, traffic and conditions of the road, and never at a speed that endangers people or property. Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 generally allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a death is caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.
- Vehicles stopped on the median: Two vehicles were stopped near the center divider in the dark. Whether approaching drivers could see them in time, and how fast they were going, will be central questions.
- The broadside impact: CHP said the Corolla struck the minivan’s driver’s side. The Corolla’s speed, lane position and any distraction are typically examined in a full investigation.
- A chain of collisions: A fourth and fifth vehicle were involved after the first impact. In multi-vehicle crashes, responsibility can be shared, and each driver’s insurance may be part of the claim.
- Vehicle data and records: The vehicles’ event data recorders, 911 call times and CHP’s diagrams can help show the timeline between the breakdown and the crash.
How responsibility is decided will depend on what CHP’s investigation shows about speed, visibility and the position of each vehicle when the minivan was struck.
Steps to Take After a San Diego I-15 Crash
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 36,640 people died in traffic crashes in the United States in 2025. When several vehicles are involved, families often face more than one insurer and need to collect records from each.
- Request the CHP report: Contact the CHP San Diego Area office and ask for the collision report and the names of the investigating officers as soon as possible.
- Keep the vehicles as they are: Do not repair or release the minivan or the disabled car until they have been photographed and inspected.
- Gather phone and roadside records: Calls, texts and any roadside assistance records from that morning can help confirm when the vehicles stopped and where.
- Talk to a lawyer before giving statements: Insurers for the other drivers may call quickly. Speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement or signing anything.
Legal deadlines and notice requirements apply after a crash, injury or death, and they vary with the facts of each case, the location and the parties involved, including any public agency. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Investigating the I-15 Crash Near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C., a personal injury and civil rights law firm in Irvine, California, extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the man who died, and we wish the injured drivers a full recovery. Important questions remain: how fast the Corolla was traveling as it approached the stopped vehicles, and whether lights or hazard signals made the minivan visible in the moments before it was struck.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 27, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 26, 2026.
