Chad Tillman, 54, a Fallbrook truck driver and 12‑year Marine veteran, was killed early Thursday after pulling over to help people involved in a crash on northbound Interstate 15 near State Route 76. A second Good Samaritan, a woman who also stopped to help, was struck and killed at the scene. Several others suffered minor to moderate injuries, and the freeway was shut down for hours while investigators worked through the wreckage.
Crash sequence and preliminary findings
According to the California Highway Patrol, the chain of events began around 4:10 a.m., when a Honda CR‑V rear‑ended a Toyota Sienna and ended up disabled in the No. 2 lane. Two unrelated Good Samaritans pulled over and were standing on the driver’s side of the CR‑V, trying to help, when another northbound vehicle slammed into the disabled SUV and killed both bystanders, according to an official CHP account reported by KOGO. The CHP’s preliminary findings indicate alcohol may have been a factor, and the collision remains under investigation.
Driver booked on DUI charges
Local coverage identified Tillman as one of the two Good Samaritans who died and reported that the 21‑year‑old driver of the CR‑V was booked on DUI charges, though the CHP has not released the suspect’s name, according to KGTV. Investigators stayed on scene for several hours while tow trucks cleared the damaged vehicles and lanes slowly reopened later in the morning.
Friends remember Tillman
Tillman, a 12‑year Marine veteran who had served as a drill sergeant, was working as a trucker for an East County sand‑and‑gravel company and was known as a devoted family man and Padres fan. “Devastated for his family. Distraught how sudden it was,” coworker Cody Willingham told reporters, describing Tillman as someone who regularly stopped to help strangers, per KGTV. A fundraising page has been launched online to support Tillman’s family, the outlet reported.
Traffic and community impact
The wreck triggered a SigAlert and closure of northbound I‑15 north of SR‑76, tying up the morning commute until lanes were gradually reopened, NBC 7 San Diego reported. Multiple people were taken by emergency crews to area hospitals, and the CHP urged drivers to slow down and use extra caution near disabled vehicles and emergency scenes. Anyone with video or information about the crash was asked to contact the CHP Oceanside Area office.
What happens next
Being booked on a DUI allegation is an early step in the legal process and does not mean guilt has been established. Prosecutors will review the CHP’s investigative file before deciding whether to file formal charges. In the meantime, the CHP continues its investigation while the community rallies around Tillman’s family and authorities look for any witnesses or footage that might clarify how the deadly sequence unfolded.
