The collision occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m. on November 18, 2025, at the intersection of westbound Imperial Avenue and Viewcrest Drive. Emergency services were immediately dispatched after a 911 call reporting the crash.
San Diego, CA –The authorities have released the identity of an elderly woman who was killed following a two-vehicle crash at an Intersection in San Diego on November 18, according to the San Diego Police Department.
The deceased woman was identified as Lucy Prewitt Starkes, an 89-year-old San Diego resident.
The collision occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m. on November 18, 2025, at the intersection of westbound Imperial Avenue and Viewcrest Drive. Emergency services were immediately dispatched after a 911 call reporting the crash.
Lucy Starkes was operating her vehicle westbound on Imperial Avenue when she attempted to turn left onto Viewcrest Drive. The Jetta was struck by a northbound Ford Excursion traveling through the intersection. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Responding paramedics found Starkes with severe injuries, including brain bleeds, a cervical spinal fracture, and a broken orbital bone. She was transported by ambulance to Scripps Mercy Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased at 9:09 p.m. on November 24, 2025.
The San Diego Police Department is investigating the circumstances of the crash. No arrests have been reported, and the exact cause of the collision remains under investigation. Next of kin have been notified.
The crash prompted temporary traffic control and lane closures at the intersection while investigators and emergency personnel managed the scene. The roadways were reopened once the vehicles and debris were cleared, though some delays were reported during the response.
California Intersection Accident Statistics
Intersection-related and two-vehicle collisions remain a significant cause of fatalities in California. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), nearly 40% of all traffic fatalities in the state occur at intersections, often involving left-turn or right-angle collisions. Older drivers are particularly vulnerable due to reduced reaction time and frailty, which increases the likelihood of serious injury or death even in low-speed impacts.
Statewide data from SafeTREC at UC Berkeley indicates that in 2022, California recorded over 1,200 fatalities from intersection collisions, highlighting the need for vigilance at cross streets, obeying traffic signals, and defensive driving practices to reduce risks in urban environments.
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident in San Bernardino, you can learn more about your options by visiting our San Bernardino Car Accident Attorney page.