At least 2 dead in big rig crash on SB-125 near El Cajon

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — A pileup involving a big rig at an East County freeway interchange Wednesday killed two people, severely injured a 6-year-old girl and left three other people less seriously hurt.

The Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling on the transition road from westbound Interstate 8 to southbound state Route 125 in La Mesa when the driver suddenly swerved to her left for unknown reasons about 2:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The cargo vehicle crashed through a metal guardrail, crossed the northbound lanes of SR-125 and plowed through a concrete divider before colliding with a Chevrolet Aveo on the adjacent connector to eastbound I-8, the CHP reported. Both vehicles then crashed into a Kia Sorento.

One occupant of the Aveo died at the scene. The other was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Their names were withheld pending family notification.

A child who had been riding in the back seat of the Sorento — apparently not properly restrained — was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital for treatment of major injuries, and a front-seat passenger in that car was transported with a broken leg, the CHP reported.

The driver of the tractor-trailer and her male passenger were treated at a trauma center for moderately serious injuries.

The accident left the big rig jackknifed across the transition road following the accident, causing heavy congestion in the area into the evening commute.