Sorrento Valley Driveway Tragedy: Woman, 37, Run Over Outside Townhome

Source: Google Street View

A 37-year-old woman was killed yesterday when she was struck by a vehicle in a shared driveway at a Sorrento Valley residential complex, according to San Diego police. The collision was reported around 10:30 PM at 10198 Wateridge Circle.

San Diego police said a 40-year-old man driving a 2025 Jeep Wrangler had pulled into the communal driveway and stopped, opened his garage door and paused so passengers could get out. One passenger stepped out of the right rear door and walked toward the front-right side of the Jeep. As the driver began a left turn toward the open garage, the vehicle hit her.

The woman suffered severe internal injuries and was later pronounced dead. Authorities have not released her name. Police said driving under the influence does not appear to be a factor, and fault has not yet been determined as the SDPD Traffic Division continues to investigate, according to 10News.

Driveway And Backover Risks

Crashes that happen off public roads, such as in driveways and parking lots, are often classified as backover incidents and can be deadly. A federal analysis from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that roughly 200 to 300 such fatalities occur each year nationwide, according to NHTSA.

In California, pedestrians remain a significant share of traffic deaths. UC Berkeley's SafeTREC has reported that about 27% of motor vehicle fatalities in 2023 involved people on foot, according to SafeTREC.

Investigation And Information Sought

The SDPD Traffic Division is leading the investigation and is asking anyone with information to contact the department or call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477, per 10News. Investigators have not released the names of either the victim or the driver, other than describing the driver as about 40 years old and stating he was behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler.

Authorities said additional details will be released as the case develops. For residents who treat their driveways as an extension of their living rooms, the deadly collision is a stark reminder that even low-speed movements near garages and shared driveways can have life-ending consequences.