SAN DIEGO, CA (October 21, 2025) — Two people, including a La Mesa police officer, were killed late Monday night in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 8 East near Fairmount Avenue in San Diego’s College Area, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Accident Details: The collision occurred around 10:22 p.m. when a car traveling eastbound on I-8 lost control, overturned, and came to rest across several lanes of traffic, officials said. Moments later, another vehicle traveling eastbound struck the overturned car.
Officer Lauren Craven, 25, of the La Mesa Police Department, encountered the scene while driving back to the city from the San Diego Central Jail. She stopped to assist and began documenting the initial crash when a separate eastbound vehicle hit her, according to CHP Captain Reggie Williams.
Both Officer Craven and the driver involved in the initial rollover were pronounced dead at the scene. Other motorists stopped to provide aid until emergency crews arrived. The freeway was shut down for more than 14 hours as investigators processed the scene and removed vehicles from the roadway. It reopened Tuesday afternoon.
The La Mesa Police Department said Officer Craven joined the force in February 2024 and was assigned to the Patrol Division. In a public statement, the department thanked nearby agencies for their support and asked the community to keep her family and colleagues in their thoughts.
Investigation: The California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the chain of collisions. Officers are reviewing witness statements, dashcam footage, and physical evidence from the vehicles to determine how the initial rollover began and what led to the secondary impact.
Authorities have not confirmed whether weather, speed, or visibility were contributing factors. The investigation will include a full reconstruction of the crash sequence to assess timing, vehicle positions, and driver behavior leading up to the collision.
Legal Considerations: When an emergency responder is killed in the line of duty, the investigation extends beyond who caused the crash—it also looks at safety measures that might have reduced the risk. In freeway settings, that can involve questions about traffic control, driver awareness, and how quickly lanes were secured once the first collision occurred.
Families affected by these events often face long investigations before they receive answers. Findings from law enforcement and accident reconstruction teams help clarify what happened and whether conditions on the roadway or driver negligence contributed.
California law provides avenues for public employees’ families to receive survivor benefits and, in certain cases, pursue civil claims if another driver’s carelessness caused the fatal injuries.
Our thoughts are with the loved ones of Officer Lauren Craven and the other driver who lost their life in this heartbreaking crash.
Source: CBS 8 News San Diego