DUI Suspected in Deadly Head-On Crash in East County

A 72-year-old Ramona woman was killed in the collision on La Cresta Road.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 30-year-old El Cajon woman driving a Chevrolet Silverado crossed over the double-yellow lines and crashed head-on into a Volkswagen Jetta, killing the 72-year-old Ramona woman driving the Jetta. Authorities suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of impaired driving and its deadly consequences. It also raises concerns about road safety in the East County region of San Diego, where such head-on collisions can occur.

The details

According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision happened at 2:54 p.m. on La Cresta Road, east of Coyote Ridge. The 30-year-old El Cajon woman driving the eastbound Chevrolet Silverado crossed over the solid double-yellow lines and crashed head-on into the westbound 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The driver of the Volkswagen, a 72-year-old Ramona woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital with major injuries.

  • The collision occurred at 2:54 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13, 2026.

The players

30-year-old El Cajon woman

The driver of the eastbound Chevrolet Silverado who crossed over the double-yellow lines and caused the head-on collision.

72-year-old Ramona woman

The driver of the westbound Volkswagen Jetta who was killed in the crash.

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What’s next

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but authorities said alcohol appears to have been a factor. The judge will decide on the driver's bail and potential charges.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for continued education and enforcement around impaired driving to prevent such senseless loss of life on our roads.