Crime & Safety
Victim of Saturday's Fiery I-5 Crash Identified
The San Diego Medical Examiner released the name of a woman who died alongside her husband on Interstate 5 at the San Onofre truck weigh station Saturday evening. The Marine Corps has not yet released the name of the husband.
The San Diego Medical Examiner released the name of a woman who died alongside her husband on the I-5 Freeway at the San Onofre truck weigh station Saturday evening.
Shardeh Watkins, 23, of Oceanside, and her Marine husband were killed when their Chevy Silverado veered off the highway, hit a pole and exploded.
Related: Crash on I-5 Kills 2 After Truck Hits Pole Near Checkpoint
Find out what's happening in San Clementewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The male driver was spotted inside the wreckage yelling for help, but was unable to get the door open before the truck burst into flames, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Jim Bettencourt. The male driver and Watkins died at the scene.
A witness who was changing a tire on the roadside reported seeing the pickup truck strike a pole and explode, Bettencourt said. The pole supports a scanner that allows certain commercial vehicles to bypass the scales.
Find out what's happening in San Clementewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Two dogs also died, he said.
Camp Pendleton firefighters responded, the CHP officer said. Three of the four freeway lanes were blocked for 1-1/2 hours.
The Marine Corps has not yet released the name of service member who died in the crash.
Editor's note: An earlier headline incorrectly stated the day of the event. It has since been updated.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
