2 children hit, killed by vehicle after exiting SUV on SR-78 in Vista

Publish Date: 2023/06/19

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — A 10-year-old boy and a 16-year-0ld girl died Sunday evening after being struck by a car while trying to retrieve fallen luggage on State Route 78 in Vista, reports ABC10 News.

The fatal incident occurred on the eastbound lanes of SR-78, just east of Mar Vista Road, at about 6:10 p.m.

According to the Vista Fire Department, the children’s mother, 33-year-old Sandra Ortiz, of Vista, was driving a green GMC Yukon SUV when pieces of luggage fell out from the vehicle. After pulling over to the right shoulder, the children exited the SUV and attempted to retrieve the luggage when they were struck by a white Nissan Sentra heading eastbound in lane #3.

Both children succumbed to their injuries, confirmed officials.

The Sentra driver, 41, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

California Highway Patrol officers arrested Ortiz at the scene for a number of felony charges connected to the event, including “driving under the influence (DUI), gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and child endangerment.”

[cta]

Ross Jurewitz

Ross Jurewitz is the founder and managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego personal injury attorney law firm. These San Diego injury accident lawyers specialize in helping people seriously injured in a variety of accidents throughout San Diego County and California.

Connect with Ross Jurewitz on Google+