Man Dies After Crashing Into Tree, Fleeing Scene In North County

VISTA, CA — A man died after crashing his car into a tree, exiting the vehicle and fleeing the scene in northern San Diego County, authorities said.

Deputies responded shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday to a report of a solo-vehicle crash near the intersection of North Santa Fe and North Paseo Marguerita in Vista, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

The sedan failed to complete a right turn and collided with a tree near the intersection, sheriff's Lt. Noah Zarnow said. The driver exited the vehicle and fled the scene.

Deputies responded around 7:15 p.m. to reports of an unconscious person in the 200 block of Apollo Drive. They confirmed it was the 30-year-old driver from the sedan, Zarnow said. He died from his injuries.

The collision was under investigation by traffic investigators and the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. It was unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.

Authorities asked anyone who witnessed or captured video of the crash to contact the sheriff's office at 858-565-5200 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or sdcrimestoppers.org.