Passenger, 93, Killed in Crash Near Camp Pendleton

A 93-year-old man was killed today when a compact pickup truck crashed off a rural North County road near the eastern reaches of Camp Pendleton.

The woman driving the 2000 Chevrolet S-10 lost control of the truck  for unknown reasons while heading west on De Luz Road in Fallbrook shortly before noon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The vehicle veered off the roadway near Harris Trail and went down a 50- foot embankment, CHP public-affairs Officer Jim Bettencourt said.

The unrestrained passenger was partially ejected from the truck and died at the scene. His name was withheld pending family notification.

The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered moderately serious injuries, Bettencourt said. Medics took her to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido.