Two SDPD Detectives Killed in Triple Fatal Crash | San Ysidro

06.04.2021 | 10:23 AM | SAN YSIDRO (CNS) – Three people, including a married couple who were San Diego Police Department detectives, were killed Friday in a fiery head-on collision caused by a speeding motorist going the wrong way on Interstate 5 near the U.S.-Mexico border.

The errant driver's Honda Civic was traveling as fast as 90 mph to the north on the southbound side of the freeway before smashing into an oncoming Ford sedan occupied by the SDPD personnel near Dairy Mart Road in San Ysidro shortly before 10:30 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Following the crash, the Honda began burning, the San Diego Fire- Rescue Department reported.

The woman driving that vehicle died at the scene, according to the CHP. Her name was not released.

The two occupants of the Ford -- SDPD Detectives Ryan Park and Jamie Huntley-Park -- also died at the scene.

Park and Huntley-Park married in 2016 after having met at the SDPD police academy in April 2012, said SDPD Chief David Nisleit. The eventually rose to the rank of detective together in July 2018.

Park and Huntley Park were not scheduled to work Friday, but were following up on cases they were working on at the time of the crash.

"You couldn't have met two nicer kids," Nisleit said. "Both their lives and their careers were definitely on a very, very rapid trend upwards."

"We are one huge family here in the city of San Diego, and so when the San Diego Police Department loses two members, it hurts," Nisleit added. "It hurts the department, it hurts this city."

The vehicle the detectives were in was city-owned but not a marked police car, city spokesman Jose Ysea said.

Authorities shut down the entire southbound side of the interstate at state Route 905 due to the accident. The closure, which was ongoing in the mid- afternoon, was expected to remain in effect "for an extended period of time," Caltrans advised.

Hours after the crash, Mayor Todd Gloria issued a statement lamenting the loss of the two members of the city's police force.

"It is with heavy hearts that we mourn our two San Diego Police Department officers whose lives were tragically taken this morning," Gloria wrote.

"In the coming days, we will learn more about these public servants who proudly donned the badge to keep all of us safe, and we will honor them for their service."

Copyright 2021, City News Service, Inc.

CNS-06-04-2021 21:42

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[briannolan]

They need to start putting up spikes on freeway exits so if someone drives up it the wrong direction, it will puncture their tires. Just like they used to have at the exits of drive-in theaters.

[andygranick]

I went to college with Jamie, the passenger in the blue sedan. She was an amazing hockey player. My condolences to her and her husband's family.

[mike]

That’s a job I don’t think I could ever do. Respect to those responders. RIP to the victims.

[EnjoyingLifeMelanie]

This is so heart-breaking. Two innocent lives taken because of someone going the wrong way on the freeway in speeds in excess of 100 mph. My condolences to the family of the innocent victims.

[magdalisalmodovar]

Sad, my dad use to tell me you know how your driving but you don't know how everyone one might be, its true. So many innocent lives are lost by irresponsible people.

[chrisg]

That was my cousin Ryan and his beautiful wife Jaime 😞 they passed away together that day. His step father (My uncle) passed away a few months later from cancer. This is the second cousin I lost in a car accident 😞 Rest In Peace Ryan and Jaime ❤️ during the funeral someone said “god took them both because he knew one could not go on without the other.” Completely heartbreaking.

[Pandora_]

I am a freelance photographer. 5 years ago, driving on an interstate in PA, traffic stopped very suddenly. A short time later, first responders were weaving in and out of traffic to an accident scene a short distance ahead. An SUV had hit a bridge abutment and flipped. Passenger was ejected, and driver was laying on the pavement receiving CPR. Life flight helicopter landed and went to the ambulances, then left without taking a patient. The male driver died there on the pavement. The female patient had been transported but later died. What struck me then, and still to this day, was seeing the first responders kneeling in a circle behind their fire truck, some holding hands, while one of the crew faced them and prayed for the families of the victims, and then prayed for strength and peace for each other. I never showed ANY of the photos or footage I took that day. I felt a calling after some time had passed, to become a pastor. And I did. Seeing that gentleman die on the pavement, regardless of how valiantly the medics tried to save him touched my soul. May this couple rest peacefully, and may God grant their families strength, courage, and grace as they face life without their loved ones.

[MarioMartinez-ttly]

Of course no one survived that crash just imagine the force it takes to leave both cars looking like that . Vicious

[alittlewheiser]

Encountering a wrong way driver when I’m on the freeway is my biggest fear. There HAS to be a solution to this problem but nobody can figure it out. These head on crashes have become too common.

[bentback]

I have seen a lot of wrecks, but that has to be one of the worst. God bless them and their families.

[tylerdavies]

They went together so neither of them had to live without the other but my god it’s so sad…

[idadear]

This is one of the most horrific accident scenes I have seen. My mother always told me that a car is machine and can easily take your life. I stand by this.

[bobbymoss]

I've been driving in Northern and Southern California for more than 20 years, and can say I'm very blessed to have never seen someone driving the wrong way on the freeway or local. RIP to the two detectives killed in this senseless tragedy. Way too young.

[sarahsue]

I take my hat off to the fire service as well as the police & paramedics obviously.
The calls they get to cut accident victims out their cars must be the worst job .. respect to them all x

[sharonjacobs]

The first day of our drivers training , they started with a film of horrific crashes ! It was truly mind blowing for 15 year old kids ! . . I "NEVER" forgot it ! ! . . . 😱

[nfareview]

It still amazes me this happens daily across the US. NEWSFLASH PEOPLE! Road reflectors are two sided, white and red. If you see red reflectors you're going the wrong way. Even an impaired brain should pick that up. I've seen what it looks like many times, all the red reflectors light up with headlights at night and sun during the day while working various accidents on duty at the FD. It's very noticeable. PAY ATTENTION!

[minairie]

Wow insane sight! My condolences to the victims families.

[sky]

Respect to the emergency crew, I can't imagine having to do what you do every day.You truly were made for your job.You guys are the best.

[gosportjamie]

It is horrific enough that two officers died in this, but finding out they were married too does make it somewhat worse...

[carilee]

My heart aches for the loved ones of these victims. I almost didn't "thumbs up" because of my broken heart. And then I remembered to do it for the sake of the firemen, police, paramedics, camera operators and everyone else who helps out in these tragic moments. God bless them all with strength and safety.