San Diego, CA (May 29, 2026) – Two people died early Friday, May 29, morning after a wrong-way driver entered the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. The collision occurred just after 3:00 AM near Laurel Street, close to San Diego International Airport.
A vehicle traveling north in the southbound fast lane struck a car heading south, and one of the vehicles caught fire following the impact. Emergency units responded to the scene, and the force of the collision prompted the closure of all southbound I-5 lanes shortly after.
Traffic was diverted to the Washington Street off-ramp as of 5:15 AM, and the Kettner Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-5 was also shut down during that time. All affected lanes had reopened by approximately 6:10 AM.
No names were released in connection with the fatal accident. Officers are continuing to piece together the full circumstances of the wreck, and additional information is expected to follow.
Our sincerest condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives.
What Are the Dangers of Wrong-Way Driving on California Freeways?
Wrong-way driving is among the most deadly types of freeway collisions. When a vehicle enters a highway going in the wrong direction, oncoming drivers have very little time to react, especially at highway speeds and in the dark. Early morning hours, when visibility is lower and there is less traffic to signal danger, tend to see a higher rate of these crashes. Fire following a high-speed collision is also a known risk, as fuel tanks and other vehicle components can rupture on impact. Freeway closures after a fatal wrong-way collision are common, both to allow emergency units to work safely and to preserve the road for a thorough review of what happened. Lane closures in these cases can last several hours depending on the severity of the wreck.
