The tragic collision on Interstate 5 in Chula Vista, resulting in the loss of a 67-year-old woman identified as Eileen Crawford and a 16-year-old named Ryder Shoup, has deeply affected both families and the community. Crawford, driving a Honda Civic, entered the southbound lanes of I-5 in the early hours of the morning, resulting in a head-on collision with Shoup who was driving a Dodge Challenger. Reports indicate that Crawford was undergoing cancer treatment and sometimes experienced moments of forgetfulness.
The news of Shoup’s untimely death spread rapidly through social media, with friends and acquaintances expressing their shock and sorrow. Descriptions of Shoup as a vibrant and athletic young man with a contagious smile have painted a picture of a beloved community member with a promising future ahead.
Authorities received multiple reports of a wrong-way driver before the fatal crash occurred, with the vehicles becoming fully engulfed in flames. Both drivers tragically lost their lives at the scene. Investigations are ongoing, including awaiting toxicology reports to determine if alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident.
The city of Imperial Beach released a heartfelt statement mourning the loss of Ryder Shoup, highlighting his active role in the community as a junior lifeguard and his positive impact on those around him. The local community is grieving the loss of two lives cut short in this devastating incident.
Efforts to prevent similar tragedies, such as the installation of LED signs and reflective pavement to alert drivers to wrong-way entry points, are ongoing in San Diego County. The community is urged to contact the San Diego California Highway Patrol with any relevant information regarding the crash as investigations continue.