Police investigate fatal hit-and-run crash on State Route 67 near Scripps Poway Parkway intersection

Crash on SR-67 leaves one dead; driver sought

Investigators are searching for a driver who fled after a crash on State Route 67 near the Scripps Poway Parkway intersection in Poway that left one person dead and another seriously injured.

The collision occurred Saturday night at the SR-67/Scripps Poway Parkway intersection. The vehicles involved were described as a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling south on SR-67 and a Honda Civic traveling north on SR-67 that was attempting a left turn onto Scripps Poway Parkway.

In the Honda Civic, one passenger died at the scene and a second passenger suffered major injuries and was taken to a hospital. The Civic’s driver, identified as a 33-year-old man, was evaluated at the scene. The Tahoe’s driver ran from the crash site and had not been publicly identified as of Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.

What investigators are focusing on

With the suspected driver not at the scene, investigators typically rely on physical evidence and independent documentation to reconstruct what happened, including vehicle damage patterns, roadway markings, debris fields, and recorded video. Authorities have indicated they are seeking any dash-camera recordings or fixed-camera footage that may show the crash sequence or the Tahoe before or after the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have video of the vehicles in the area is urged to contact investigators.

Public safety context on SR-67

The crash adds to a history of severe collisions on SR-67 in and around Poway. In July 2025, a separate three-vehicle collision on SR-67 in Poway killed five people and shut down the highway for hours. Investigators in that case reported a pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic at high speed, triggering a chain-reaction crash and a small brush fire.

Earlier incidents and ongoing safety concerns have fueled calls for changes along parts of the corridor, which carries commuter and regional traffic between the Poway area and Ramona.

What happens next

• Investigators will continue efforts to identify the Tahoe’s driver, including follow-up on vehicle registration, ownership, and any video leads.

• Collision reconstruction work is expected to address right-of-way and signal compliance at the intersection, as well as speed and other contributing factors.

• The Medical Examiner’s investigation will determine the deceased passenger’s official cause and manner of death, and authorities may release the victim’s identity after next-of-kin notification.

The investigation remains active. Authorities are asking anyone with relevant information to come forward as detectives work to locate the fleeing driver and clarify the events leading up to the fatal impact.