Wrong-Way Crash in San Marcos 

July 29, 2024 – San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials announce report of a stabbing in Vista that ended in a wrong-way crash in San Marcos is under investigation.

It happened on Saturday, July 27 just before 11:30 p.m. Deputies with the Vista Sheriff's Station responded to reports of a fight and a possible stabbing in the area of East Orange Street and The Circle in Vista.

When deputies arrived on scene, they saw a Honda Accord speeding out of the area. Deputies tried to pull over the driver for a traffic stop by activating their emergency lights. The driver refused and led deputies on a pursuit.

The driver blew through several stop lights during the pursuit. Upon reaching Sycamore Avenue, the driver entered SR-78 going the wrong way. Deputies immediately stopped the pursuit for safety reasons and informed the California Highway Patrol (CHP) about the car going westbound on the eastbound lanes of Highway 78.

Ten minutes later, 9-1-1 calls came in about a traffic collision on SR-78 near Rancho Santa Fe in San Marcos. Witnesses reported the driver crawling out of the car and jumping into a ditch near Smilax Road.

Deputies with the Vista and San Marcos Sheriff's Stations arrived on scene and confirmed the car involved in this crash was the same one that failed to yield during a traffic stop in Vista. A Sheriff's K-9 Handler responded to the scene and started making announcements. The driver was taken into custody without incident and transported to Palomar Medical Center to be treated for his leg injury.

The initial report about a fight and stabbing in Vista was unfounded.

No other cars were involved in the crash. Since the collision happened on SR-78, the California Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.

Source: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department