2 Killed After Car Crosses Freeway Median

IRVINE —  Two people died Tuesday after a car suddenly crossed the center divider on the San Diego Freeway and collided head-on with another car, investigators said.

The accident occurred about 11 a.m. when an Acura traveling north on the freeway crossed the dirt median for undetermined reasons. It struck a Volkswagen in the fast lane, killing both drivers, a California Highway Patrol investigator said.

Their names were not released pending notification of relatives.

Officials said they still are baffled as to why the man in the Acura drove into oncoming traffic. Witnesses said he appeared to be awake when he crossed the median, which is about the width of two lanes, CHP Sgt. Ted Jones said.

The Volkswagen spun out of control and collided with another car, whose driver was not injured. He fled but returned a short time later to the scene and was jailed on suspicion of hit-and-run, Jones said.

The impact of the collision between the first two cars mangled the front ends of both vehicles, trapping the drivers inside, Jones said. Emergency crews extricated the drivers but both died at the scene, Jones said.