The early-morning freeway collision that claimed two lives occurred on southbound Interstate 5 just north of San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. At roughly 2:59 a.m., a blue Dodge Durango and a white Honda CR-V met in a head-on impact in the southbound lanes, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Authorities say the crash was caused by a wrong-way driver, and the investigation into how the vehicles came to be traveling in opposing directions is ongoing.
Officials later confirmed that one of the victims was Jesus Verduzco, a 62-year-old Bonita resident who was driving the Honda CR-V. Verduzco was taken to UCSD Medical Center and succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The driver of the Dodge, a 56-year-old man from El Cajon, was pronounced dead at the scene; his name is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification. A toxicology analysis by the San Diego County Medical Examiner has been requested to determine whether alcohol or drugs played a part.
What the investigation is focusing on
CHP San Diego Area investigators have said that a wrong-way vehicle triggered the collision, but they have not yet specified which car was traveling north in the southbound lanes. The exact sequence of events is under review, with crash reconstruction and witness statements forming key parts of the inquiry. Authorities have asked anyone who saw the crash or the vehicles prior to impact to contact the CHP at (858) 293-6000. The agency will combine physical evidence, CCTV or traffic camera footage if available, and other forensic data to build a clear timeline.
Evidence collection and toxicology
Investigators commonly rely on measurements of vehicle damage, skid marks, and occupant injuries to determine factors such as speed, point of impact, and vehicle orientation at the time of collision. In this case, the San Diego County Medical Examiner will perform toxicology testing to establish whether impairment contributed. Those results can take time and are often pivotal in establishing criminal or civil liability. Meanwhile, CHP continues to treat the scene as an active investigation site.
Traffic impacts and local response
The crash produced immediate traffic disruptions near the Little Italy area. Caltrans and CHP diverted motorists at Washington Street and temporarily closed the Kettner Boulevard on-ramp. All southbound lanes were briefly shut to clear the scene; partial reopening began with two lanes available by about 5:30 a.m., and full reopening followed roughly an hour later. Commuters and local drivers experienced delays during those early hours while cleanup and evidence collection were completed.
Public safety and community reactions
Wrong-way collisions on freeways are particularly dangerous because they often result in high-speed, head-on impacts. Traffic safety advocates note that such crashes frequently prompt renewed calls for measures like improved signage, enhanced lighting, and upgraded ramp designs to deter wrong-way entry. Community members and regular commuters around Little Italy said the closure affected early-morning deliveries and transit schedules, while neighbors expressed sorrow on learning two people had died.
Victim identification and family notifications
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office released the identity of one victim as Jesus Verduzco of Bonita. The other driver, described as a 56-year-old man from El Cajon, remains unnamed publicly until family members are notified. The practice of withholding names until next-of-kin notification is standard to allow loved ones to be informed by officials before information is released to the media.
What to expect next
CHP investigators will continue reconstructing the crash and compiling reports that may be used by prosecutors, insurers, and civil litigants depending on findings. The toxicology findings from the Medical Examiner’s office will be a critical piece of the final report. Anyone who witnessed the crash, has dash-cam footage, or noticed a vehicle driving the wrong way near the I-5 southbound lanes around Little Italy early that morning is urged to contact the CHP San Diego Area at (858) 293-6000 to assist with the probe.
An updated statement from local authorities was posted on May 29, 2026, and the investigation remains active. As investigators work to establish full details, the community has been reminded of the rare but severe risks posed by wrong-way driving on major urban freeways.
