Alpine man held on suspicion of drunk driving after fatal crash

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A 38-year-old Alpine man was arrested early Saturday on suspicion of drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter after a crash on Interstate 8 in eastern San Diego County that killed a resident of Mexicali.

Jeremiah Smith, driving a GMC truck, smashed into a Toyota that was stopped on the right shoulder of the freeway, according to CHP Officer Brian Pennings. The Toyota then struck a 42-year-old resident of Mexicali who was outside his vehicle, Pennings said.

The Mexicali resident had been driving a minivan and towing an Acura while his wife was driving the Toyota. Husband and wife had stopped their vehicles after one vehicle developed engine problems. The husband was standing outside his wife’s car when the car was struck by Smith’s truck, Pennings said.

The victim, whose name was not released, was thrown several hundred yards by the collision, which occurred shortly after 4 a.m.

Smith was booked into San Diego County jail.

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