A routine midday drive on a rural stretch near Lake Henshaw turned deadly yesterday, when a two-vehicle crash left one person dead and two others with minor injuries at a notorious North County intersection.
The collision, involving two passenger vehicles, happened shortly before 1 PM near the Morettis Junction area, east of Palomar Mountain, at the intersection of State Route 76 and State Route 79. Emergency crews shut down the road while first responders worked the scene and investigators combed the area for evidence.
What officials said
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the California Highway Patrol said the crash was reported just before 1 PM at the Highway 76 and Highway 79 junction. Cal Fire Capt. Robert Johnson told the paper that one of the vehicles ended up roughly 30 feet down a roadside embankment and that one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Response and injuries
Cal Fire crews, local firefighters, and CHP units responded, working to free occupants and secure the crash site on the narrow rural roadway. Two people suffered minor injuries and were treated by emergency personnel, while investigators and tow crews worked to clear the intersection and reopen the road.
A dangerous stretch
The intersection has seen deadly crashes before. In October 2024, another driver was killed near Morettis Junction, highlighting how quickly these quiet state routes can turn treacherous for motorists. That earlier crash was reported by the Times of San Diego.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating and has not yet released information about what led to Wednesday’s collision. Officials said anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage is urged to contact the CHP’s San Diego office.
