All lanes of eastbound Interstate 8 in Grantville were closed Tuesday morning after a La Mesa police officer was killed while responding to a multi-car crash overnight.
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The crash was reported near Fairmount Avenue just before 10:30 p.m. Monday.
As a car was traveling east on I-8, it hit another car, then overturned in the lanes and was struck by another car. A La Mesa police officer, who was on duty, saw the crash and got out of their car to render aid, when another car hit the officer, as well as the other cars. Then, a second car hit all of the vehicles, California Highway Patrol Cpt. Reggie Williams said. CHP confirmed two people are dead, including the officer and the person who initially crashed.
A total of five cars were involved. The other victims were sent to local hospitals.
The La Mesa Police Department identified the officer as 25-year-old Lauren Craven. Craven had joined the department in February 2024.
“We ask that the La Mesa community keep Officer Craven, her family, and the La Mesa Police Department in their thoughts and prayers,” La Mesa Lt. Travis Higgins said in a release.
It is unknown what caused the initial crash. The CHP is handling the investigation.
“We ask the public, when you see lights on the roadway, slow down and move over; that is actually the law. It places us in severe danger when you fail to do so, as we see what happened last night. Please, if you see lights, do your due diligence and slow down and move over,” CHP Cpt. Williams said.
Caltrans issued a SigAlert in the area:
🚨 SIG ALERT REMINDER 🚨
I-8 EB at I-15, full freeway closure is in effect. All EB traffic is diverted to I-15 SB.
I-15 NB & SB to I-8 EB is being diverted off at Fairmount Ave & Montezuma Rd.
Closure expected to last several hours.
Please plan alternate routes. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/alEjECvBgo
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information arrives.
