A tragic accident on eastbound Interstate 8 in Grantville claimed the life of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who was struck and killed while rendering aid at the scene of a multi-car crash late Monday night.
Lauren Craven Car Accident
The La Mesa Police Department identified the fallen officer as 25-year-old Lauren Craven, who joined the department in February 2024. The fatal collision occurred just before 10:30 p.m. Monday near Fairmount Avenue.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the initial crash began when a vehicle traveling eastbound on I-8 struck another car, overturned, and was then hit by another vehicle. Officer Craven, who was on duty at the time, stopped to assist the crash victims. While she was rendering aid, another vehicle struck her and the involved cars. Moments later, a second car collided with the wreckage, causing further devastation.
CHP confirmed that two people were killed in the chain-reaction crash—Officer Craven and the driver involved in the initial collision. Several others were transported to nearby hospitals with injuries.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our department and our community,” said La Mesa Police Lt. Travis Higgins. “We ask that the La Mesa community keep Officer Craven, her family, and the La Mesa Police Department in their thoughts and prayers.”
CHP Captain Reggie Williams urged drivers to slow down and move over when approaching emergency lights on the road. “It places us in severe danger when you fail to do so, as we saw last night,” he said. “Please, if you see lights, slow down and move over—it’s not only the law, it saves lives.”
Caltrans issued a SigAlert following the crash, closing I-8 eastbound between I-15 and Waring Road. Traffic was diverted onto southbound I-15, and drivers on I-15 attempting to access eastbound I-8 were rerouted to Fairmount Avenue and Montezuma Road. Officials expected the freeway to reopen by noon Tuesday.
Officer Lauren Craven is remembered as a dedicated and compassionate officer who served her community with honor. Her passing marks a profound loss for the La Mesa Police Department and the greater San Diego area.
The CHP continues to investigate the cause of the initial crash and the subsequent collisions that led to this tragic outcome
