UPDATE: Authorities have identified six individuals who tragically lost their lives in a series of traffic accidents across San Diego County over the past two weeks. This alarming rise in fatalities highlights a growing concern for pedestrian and driver safety in the region.
The latest incident occurred at approximately 11:55 p.m. on Saturday, when a vehicle struck Alexander Leroux, a 57-year-old man, in the 3500 block of India Street in the Middletown district. Paramedics rushed Leroux to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Just hours earlier, another pedestrian fatality shook the community. At around 6 p.m. on Saturday, an SUV struck Eduardo Sanchez, an 83-year-old man, in the 200 block of East San Ysidro Boulevard. Sanchez suffered severe injuries, including a brain bleed and pelvic fractures, and ultimately succumbed to his injuries the following evening at the same medical facility.
Earlier in the week, on Wednesday at 5:30 a.m., Esteban Rodriguez, a 21-year-old from Spring Valley, was fatally injured when his sedan veered off state Route 125 and collided with a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene, marking another tragic loss on local roads.
Another incident occurred on November 20 at around 4:30 a.m., when Guillermo Pagan, aged 55, was struck by an eastbound SUV on state Route 94 in Jamul. Unfortunately, he died before paramedics could transport him to a hospital.
The fatalities continued on November 19 when Eleanor Anslow, a 38-year-old resident of San Diego, was struck multiple times by vehicles while in the roadway at the 7500 block of Mission Gorge Road. She was pronounced dead at the scene, raising serious questions about pedestrian safety.
Additionally, on November 18, an octogenarian driver, Lucy Prewitt Starkes, aged 89, was involved in a fatal collision while making a left turn at a Jamacha-area intersection. Her vehicle was struck by an oncoming Ford Excursion shortly after 10:30 a.m., leading to critical injuries. Despite being transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital, Starkes succumbed to her injuries six days later.
These tragic incidents underscore an urgent need for improved road safety measures in San Diego County. Authorities are urging drivers to stay vigilant and for pedestrians to exercise extreme caution while navigating busy streets.
As investigations into these incidents continue, community members are called to reflect on the importance of road safety. With the holiday season approaching, it is crucial for all road users to remain alert and responsible.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
