Wrong-Way Driver Hits Van; 3 Die on I-15

Three men died and one was injured when a pickup truck traveling the wrong way on Interstate 15 in Scripps Ranch collided head-on with a bakery delivery van Thursday morning, the California Highway Patrol said.

The pickup slammed into the van driven by Robert Able Sr., 66, of Mission Valley at 4:15 a.m., the CHP said.

Able was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, where he died at 7:25 a.m., a the coroner’s offices said.

The pickup driver, Blaine Binkley, 25, of Escondido, was killed instantly, authorities said.

Binkley’s passenger, Christopher R. Williams, 19, of Vashon, Wash., was also killed, the medical examiner spokeswoman said.

Motorists called the CHP to report the wrong-way driver as the pickup traveled south in the freeway’s northbound lanes at at about 50 m.p.h. for 14 miles.

CHP officers were en route to intercept the pickup when the crash occurred near Mira Mesa Boulevard, the CHP said.

A passenger in the delivery van, Robert Able Jr., 44, of San Diego, was taken with his father to Scripps Memorial, where he was listed in fair condition Thursday night.

Binkley’s blood alcohol level will be tested, authorities said.

The CHP is continuing its investigation.