DUI believed to be cause of multi-vehicle crash on SR-67

POWAY (KUSI) — Tuesday — A major-injury, multiple-vehicle crash that closed a highway in Poway on Monday is now being called a DUI collision.

At about 5:24 p.m., Allen Brotzman, a 49-year-old resident of Vista was driving a Ford Mustang south on State Route 67 when he made an illegal U-turn, prior to Iron Mountain Road. As Brotzman made the U-turn, a Ford Fusion traveling north struck his Mustang, and a Toyota Highlander traveling north struck the Ford Fusion.

Brotzman was incapacitated due to the collision. The Mustang caught on fire and a passerby was able to free Brotzman before his Mustang became fully engulfed in flames.

Brotzman had sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Palomar Hospital in Escondido for treatment.

The other drivers from the Ford Fusion and the Toyota Highlander were transported to an area hospital with minor injuries where they were treated and released.

Brotzman is suspected of driving under the influence and the collision is being investigated by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Deputies S. Boegler or S. Rojas with the Poway Sheriff’s Traffic Division at (858) 513-2800.     

Monday — A major-injury, multiple-vehicle crash Monday closed a highway in Poway.

The fiery crash was reported at 5:30 p.m. on state Route 67 at Poway Road, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and reports from the scene.

The number and extent of injuries involved was not immediately available.

Route 67 was closed in both directions and a SigAlert was issued, according to the CHP, which described the crash as a "major-injury traffic collision.”