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EUCALYPTUS HILLS, San Diego County, Calif., Oct. 6, 2026 — One person died and three others were hospitalized after a crash involving a semi-truck on State Route 67 late Monday morning, October 5, near the San Vicente Reservoir in San Diego County's East County area.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened on SR-67 north of Slaughterhouse Canyon Road before 11 a.m. According to the Lakeside Fire Protection District, a vehicle crossed into oncoming lanes and was struck by a semi-truck.
Three people were taken to a hospital, officials said. Some of them were reportedly in their 70s. Lakeside Fire described their condition as stable but critical. One adult died at the scene, according to the agency.
CHP's El Cajon office closed southbound SR-67 at the crash site around noon and told drivers to expect delays or find another route.
The circumstances that led the vehicle to cross lanes remain under investigation. We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim, and wish those injured a speedy recovery.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk When a Passenger Vehicle Meets a Semi-Truck
Size and weight decide most of what happens when a car and a loaded semi-truck collide. A commercial truck can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car, so the occupants of the smaller vehicle absorb most of the crash forces even when the truck driver is not at fault.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 70 percent of people killed in large-truck crashes were occupants of other vehicles in 2023. Older adults face added risk in any serious crash because they are more likely to suffer severe injury from the same crash forces that a younger occupant might walk away from, a pattern researchers have tied to bone density and slower physiological recovery.
Location matters too. Rural and semi-rural highways with higher speed limits, like stretches of SR-67 that connect East County communities, see fewer crashes overall than urban roads but a higher share end in serious injury or death, largely because of speed differentials when a vehicle crosses into opposing traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully beneath a truck's trailer during a collision, often increasing the severity of injuries to the car's occupants because the truck's frame can intrude into the passenger compartment.
What typically causes large-truck crashes?
Common factors include driver fatigue, lane departures, mechanical failure, speed relative to road conditions, and errors by drivers of either vehicle, such as crossing a center line.
Does driver fatigue play a role in truck crashes?
Yes. Long hours behind the wheel are a recognized factor in commercial trucking crashes, which is why federal rules limit how many consecutive hours a truck driver may operate before resting.
How can drivers share the road safely with trucks?
Giving trucks extra following and passing distance, staying out of blind spots near the cab and rear of the trailer, and avoiding sudden lane changes near a truck all reduce the chance of a serious collision.
What to Do After a Semi-Truck Crash in Eucalyptus Hills, CA
If you're involved in or witness a crash involving a commercial truck, call 911 right away and move to a safe location if possible. Even if injuries seem minor at first, see a doctor promptly, since some injuries from a high-impact crash don't show symptoms immediately.
Get the names and badge numbers of responding officers and ask how to obtain the official crash report once it's filed. If you're able, take photos of the scene, vehicle positions, and any visible damage before vehicles are moved.
Keep records of medical visits and any time missed from work. Those details can matter later, whether for insurance purposes or simply to have an accurate account of what happened.
