Five people hospitalized after suspected drunken race crash

VISTA (KUSI) — Five people were sent to the hospital with injuries suffered in what was believed to be an alcohol related crash in Vista early Monday.

The driver of a Ford Focus lost control while allegedly racing another vehicle on East Bobier Drive in Vista, sheriff’s Deputy Jason Ferguson said. The drivers reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour when the Ford Focus went over the raised median, hitting a sign and crossing into oncoming traffic near Heidi Circle. The Ford slammed into a Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan in the eastbound lanes shortly after 12:30 a.m. and rolled.

One of the Ford’s occupants ran off after the crash, leaving three people trapped in the wreckage, Ferguson said. firefighters cut them out of the car before they were taken to a hospital to be treated for possibly life-threatening injuries.

The Mercedes’ driver and passenger suffered injuries of unknown severity and were also hospitalized, according to the deputy.

Ferguson asked any witnesses to the crash who did not provide a statement to investigators at the scene to call him at (760) 940-4910. Those with additional information on the crash were asked to call the sheriff’s department’s non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.