Officer Craven, who was returning from duty at the San Diego Central Jail, came upon the crash and stopped her patrol vehicle to help. Although she had not been dispatched to the scene, she exited her car to render aid to those involved.

While she was assisting, another vehicle approached and collided with the crash scene, striking Officer Craven and others nearby. A fifth car then became involved in the aftermath of the impact. Officer Craven and the 19-year-old driver from the overturned vehicle were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The California Highway Patrol launched an investigation into the sequence of collisions and the driver or drivers involved in the secondary impacts. Authorities have not yet released details about whether impairment, distraction, or excessive speed