SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The woman and male teenager who were killed after a suspected drunken driver rear-ended their SUV, trapping them in the burning vehicle, were identified as a grandmother and her grandson Sunday.
The incident happened on State Route 125 just south in Interstate 8 about 5:45 p.m. Friday.
Justin Foulds, 39, of Lemon Grove, was allegedly under the influence while driving a Chevrolet Silverado home from a Christmas party, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Foulds hit a car and then struck the Pathfinder, causing it to burst into flames with two passengers trapped inside, a CHP dispatcher said.
The victim's mother, Andrea Vasquez, identified them after hearing the news from her son's father in Tijuana, the source reported.
According to the source, 73-year-old Celia Torres and her 16-year-old grandson David Gonzalez were on their way to a dentists' appointment in Tijuana when they were struck by the Silverado.
Authorities were waiting until the family was notified to release the victim's identities, according to the Medical Examiner's website.
Foulds was booked into San Diego Central jail for drunken driving and vehicular manslaughter. Bail was set for $500,000.
News 8's Phil Blauer spoke to a relative of the victim's and files this video report with her emotional words.
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE PREVIOUS STORY BELOW.
LA MESA (CNS/News 8) - Authorities have arrested a 39-year-old Lemon Grove man on suspicion of driving under the influences in connection with a fiery freeway crash that claimed two lives near Grossmont Center mall Friday evening.
The accident occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. on southbound State Route 125, just south of Interstate 8 in La Mesa, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Emergency crews arrived to find a truck and a sport utility vehicle ablaze, the CHP reported. Two people trapped inside the SUV died at the scene.
Authorities said 39-year-old Justin Foulds of Lemon Grove had been heading home from a company Christmas party when he slammed his Chevy Silverado into the rear of a Nissan Pathfinder, triggering a chain reaction crash involving two other vehicles. The drivers of those two other vehicles were not injured.
The Silverado and Pathfinder, entangled by the impact of the collision, burst into flames. While Foulds managed to escape from his pick-up unscathed, the driver and passenger in the Pathfinder were unable to extricate themselves.
The victims at this point are only being described as an adult male and female.
Foulds, who has been processed into County Jail, is facing felony charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing bodily injury. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon.
His bail has been raised from $100,000 to a half-million dollars.
The wreck left southbound 125 blocked and caused heavy congestion in the busy area.
This is an update. The original story is below.
LA MESA (CBS 8) – Fire crews are on the scene of a fatal multi-vehicle accident on Southbound Highway 125 just south of Interstate 8 in La Mesa Friday night.
At least two people have died in that accident, according to News 8 and Southbound State Route 125 is closed. The Northbound lanes are open, but are gridlocked as of 6:27 p.m.
California Highway Patrol officers say they expect to be on scene for a while. The closure of SR 125 south is expected to last for two to three hours, if not longer.
The vehicles burst into flames after the accident, sending large plumes of smoke into the air.