Wrong-way driver arrested after head-on freeway crash in Del Cerro

A head-on crash allegedly caused by a wrong-way driver who had earlier fled from San Diego police officers resulted in major injuries in Del Cerro on Wednesday, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The incident began around 10:40 a.m. when police attempted to pull over a Mercedes, but the driver quickly pulled away and headed toward Interstate 8 via Mission Gorge Road, CHP Officer Issam Wahhab said.

According to online CHP logs, an eastbound Mercedes entered westbound lanes of the freeway and reached 100 mph on the right side of the road.

Around 10:45 a.m., the car hit a Honda Odyssey head-on as the minivan drove onto the freeway using the College Avenue on-ramp, Wahhab said.

The minivan’s driver was taken to a hospital with major injuries. His condition was not immediately known.

The Mercedes driver also suffered major injuries and was transported to a hospital. San Diego police also arrested him.

A SigAlert was issued, and the westbound I-8 on-ramp from College Avenue was closed as investigators worked to clear the vehicles, CHP officials said. Lanes were reopened around 1 p.m.

No other information was immediately available.

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