An American flag was draped over the body of an active duty service member killed in a rollover crash in Chula Vista early Sunday morning.
The service member died and three passengers were taken to the hospital after the crash, which happened at 12:53 a.m. Sunday at East H Street and Del Rey Boulevard. A Lexus IS-F was driving west on East H Street at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of the car, police said.
The Lexus hit the center divide and drove into oncoming traffic, police said. The car swerved and flipped over, landing on the sidewalk south of the street.
The roof of the car completely collapsed onto the driver of the car, killing him. Two passengers were taken to UC San Diego Medical Center and a third was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital.
Rashad Thompson was in a car driving ahead of the Lexus. When they saw the crash in their rear view mirror, they turned around and rushed to help.
"When we came, they were helping the passengers out of the car," said Thompson. "They were helping the back passenger. They tried to move the driver but I told them not to, because we're both corpsmen in the Navy and I was like, no don't touch him, you guys are going to do more damage. And [I] pretty much just checked his pulse and was just counting his breaths until everybody came."
A contracted transportation service with the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office draped the flag over the body, the ME's office said.
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A Sig Alert was issued for H Street and Del Rey Boulevard Sunday morning as officials continued their investigation.
Chula Vistas police said a preliminary investigation revealed speed and alcohol may have played a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Chula Vista Police Department at (619) 691-5151 or the on-duty Watch Commander at (619) 476-5374.
No further information was immediately available.
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