Update January 29, 2012: The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified the victim as Derek anthony Millsap, who lived with his family in Escondido.
January 24, 2012 (Escondido) – A 22-year-old Escondido driver was killed tonight after racing another vehicle, causing a shutdown of multiple lanes on I-15 south late this afternoon.
According to witnesses, the victim was driving a Nissan 370Z and stopped at a light next to a Black Nissan Titan with tinted windows on via Rancho Parkway in Escondido, heading to I-15 south.
“When the light turned green, the two vehicles started to race southbound on the ramp at a high rate of speed,” said Officer Jim Bettencourt with the California Highway Patrol.
The Nissan lost control and the driver’s side collided into a metal light pole on the right shoulder. This collision caused the vehicle to continue out of control across all lanes of I-15, where it collided into the center divide and came to rest in the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. The right rear tire broke away from the vehicle and hit a Silver Toyota Camry, which had minor damage.
Medical personnel pronounced the Nissan driver dead at the scene. As of this time drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor, said Officer Bettencourt.
The #1 lane and all HOV lanes were closed for approximately 3 ½ hours for the investigation, clogging traffic during rush hour.