A crash on I-8 East killed a La Mesa police officer and another driver Monday, prompting a freeway closure, according to the California Highway Patrol.

SAN DIEGO — Two people are dead, including a La Mesa police officer, after a multi-vehicle collision Monday night on Interstate 8 East near Fairmont Avenue in College Area, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

At around 10:22 p.m. Monday, a car traveling eastbound on I-8 lost control, overturned on the highway and came to a stop on the freeway lanes, according to Captain Reggie Williams with the California Highway Patrol. The vehicle was then struck by another car in oncoming traffic.

A La Mesa police officer encountered the crash and proceeded to help the vehicles, according to the La Mesa Police Department. At some point, while taking the report of the initial accident, police said another car driving eastbound on I-8 hit the officer.

According to Captain Williams, the La Mesa police officer was pronounced dead at the scene, as was the driver involved in the initial rollover accident. 

The La Mesa Police Department identified the officer as 25-year-old Lauren Craven. Officer Craven joined the department in February 2024 and was assigned to the Patrol Division, according to La Mesa Police.


“The La Mesa Police Department would like to thank our allied agencies for their unwavering support,” said the LMPD in a news release. “We ask that the La Mesa community keep Officer Craven, her family, and the La Mesa Police Department in their thoughts and prayers.”

According to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page, a Sigalert has been issued due to the crashes, and all lanes are closed between I-15 and Waring Road. At approximately 4:27 a.m., CHP said the freeway would be closed for at least another 5 hours, and all traffic would be diverted to Interstate 15 North and South. 

The California Highway Patrol is handling the investigation. No further information was available about the identity of the driver killed or the conditions of the other drivers involved. 

This is a developing story. CBS 8 will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.Â