The deadly crash occurred on westbound State Route 78 west of Mastros Trailer Park Rd at approximately 2:49 p.m. on April 4, 2026.
Julian, CA – The County Medical Examiner has released the name of the second person who died after two pickup trucks collided on Highway 78 in Julian on Saturday afternoon.
The Medical Examiner identified the victim as Mark Gerald Vaugh Straass, a 72-year-old San Diego man.
According to CHP, Mark Straass was operating a pickup truck that collided head-on with another pickup truck operated by Jesus Lopez, 66, at about 2:49 p.m. on April 4, on SR-78 at Mastros Trailer Park Road.
Straass suffered severe injuries and was transported by responding paramedics to Palomar Medical Center, where he died at about 4:31 p.m. the same day.
Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene.
Original Story
Julian, CA – Two people were killed, and at least two others were injured after a two-vehicle collision on State Route 78 in Julian Saturday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified one of the deceased victims as 66-year-old Jesus Canales Lopez.
The deadly crash occurred on westbound State Route 78 west of Mastros Trailer Park Rd at approximately 2:49 p.m. on April 4, 2026.
According to the San Diego Police Department, a pickup truck operated by Jesus Lopez collided head-on with another pickup truck. The impact caused both vehicles to overturn multiple times along the roadway.
Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene by responding fire personnel. A second person was also killed in the crash. The identity of the second victim has not been released. At least two other individuals sustained injuries and were airlifted to area hospitals for treatment. No information regarding arrests was immediately available.
Emergency crews, including law enforcement and fire personnel, responded to the scene after a 911 call reporting the incident.
The crash prompted the closure of State Route 78 in both directions between Scissor Crossing and Banner Ranch for approximately five to six hours, causing significant traffic disruptions in the area.
The incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.