The Tragic Night on Interstate 8
On the night of Monday, October 20, 2025, tragedy struck in San Diego County when Officer Lauren Craven, 25, of the La Mesa Police Department, was killed while assisting at the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 8 near Fairmount Avenue.
At around 10:30 p.m., officers responded to a collision involving two vehicles — one of which overturned and came to rest on its roof in the eastbound lanes. Moments later, a third vehicle slammed into the wreckage, killing the 19-year-old male driver of the overturned car.
Officer Craven, who had been returning from duty at the San Diego Central Jail, came upon the crash site and stopped her patrol car to help. Though she had not been dispatched to the scene, she immediately exited her vehicle to assist the victims.
As she rendered aid, another car approached at high speed and struck the crash scene, hitting Officer Craven and others nearby. A fifth vehicle was then caught in the chain reaction. Officer Craven and the 19-year-old driver were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The California Highway Patrol launched an investigation into the sequence of impacts, examining whether speed, distraction, or impairment played a role. The incident prompted renewed discussion about safety on California highways, particularly for first responders assisting roadside emergencies.