The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fiery and deadly solo-vehicle crash north of Creston that looks to be an example of the old cautionary slogan — Speed Kills.
According to a news release, at about 4:24 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 the CHP got a report of a single car accident at Creston and Camp 8 Roads, an intersection in the rural area between Creston and Hwy 46 East in Paso Robles.
“Witnesses reported,” reads the release, “the involved vehicle quickly became fully engulfed in flames.”
When officers arrived, the car was ablaze and the driver trapped inside. The driver died at the scene, but officers were able to piece together what they believe happened.
“It was determined the driver (unknown) was driving a 2005 Ford Escape northbound on Creston Road, south of Camp 8 Road at a high rate of speed.
“Due to the driver’s unsafe speed, the vehicle left the east roadway edge of Creston Road, causing the driver to lose control. The driver attempted to regain control of the Ford but was unsuccessful.”
The car ran off the road and into an oil pipe fence just east of the roadway and caught fire.
Responding CHP officers were unable to identify the driver at the scene and the Coroner’s Office will have to make positive identification.
They also don’t yet know if drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash, though speeding appears to be a main contributing factor. Investigators at the CHP’s Templeton Office are investigating the crash.
