San Diego, CA (February 26, 2026) – A deadly crash closed several lanes of southbound Interstate 5 near the San Diego-Orange County line on Wednesday, February 25. The incident occurred near the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant and was reported around 6:53 PM.
The inside three lanes of the southbound freeway were shut down following the crash, while the slow lane remained open. Significant delays were expected in the area during the closure.
A witness traveling northbound told local media they saw a man run across the northbound lanes and onto the southbound side of the freeway before the crash occurred. Authorities did not release additional details about the incident, though agency logs suggest a pedestrian may have been involved. All lanes have since reopened.
The cause of the crash has not been officially confirmed. Authorities continue to investigate, and more details will be released as they become available. Our sincere condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones.
Pedestrian Fatalities on California Freeways Near the San Diego County Line
Pedestrian incidents on high-speed freeways like I-5 are among the most dangerous situations that emergency responders face. When a person enters a freeway on foot, the risk of a fatal outcome is extremely high due to the speed of surrounding traffic. The stretch of I-5 near the San Diego-Orange County line sees heavy vehicle flow, particularly during evening hours.
California has seen a steady number of freeway pedestrian fatalities over recent years, with many occurring after dark or in areas with limited lighting. Drivers traveling at freeway speeds have very little time to react to a person on the roadway. These incidents often result in lane closures that can last several hours while authorities work the scene.
San Diego County roadways, including the I-5 corridor, are monitored closely by the California Highway Patrol due to the volume of daily traffic.
