Mother of 3 killed in head-on collision
A 35-year-old Ramona woman was killed Sunday afternoon when a pickup driven by a 17-year-old Ramona boy crossed the center lines and hit the truck she was driving.
The head-on collision occurred about 2:30 p.m. on state Highway 67 about one-half mile north of Mina De Oro Road in Poway, reported Sgt. Lloyd Muenzer with the sheriff’s Poway Station.
Melissa Jean “Missy” Day was driving a white 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck southbound on Highway 67 when her vehicle was hit. She was killed on impact. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, death was pronounced at the scene, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office reported.
Day and her three daughters, ages 16, 14 and 11, lived with her mother, Sherrie Day, assistant pastor at Hope Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Ramona. Her 14- and 11-year-old daughters were passengers in her vehicle and were airlifted to Children’s Hospital for evaluation in injuries ranging from a possible broken arm to lacerations, the sheriff’s department reported.
The sheriff’s preliminary investigation indicates that a northbound white 2002 Ford Ranger pickup driven by the 17-year-old struck the curb on the right side of the road. The truck’s right wheels traveled off the road for several feet before the driver was able to turn the wheel to the left in an attempt to return to the northbound lane. He lost control and the vehicle crossed the center lines into the opposite lane of traffic, striking Day’s vehicle, Muenzer stated.
The 17-year-old driver and his 15-year-old female passenger were transported by ambulance to Palomar Medical Center for evaluation. Neither appeared to be severely injured, according to the sheriff’s report.
Highway 67 from Poway Road to Archie Moore Road was closed in both directions for about three hours. Caltrans set up signs diverting traffic to Wildcat Canyon Road and Highland Valley Road until Highway 67 traffic between Poway and Archie Moore roads was reopened.
At the time of the initial investigation, there was no indication that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision, reported Muenzer, Deputies J.R. Van Fossen and Dave Cheever of the sheriff’s Poway Traffic Division are the primary investigators.
Anyone wishing to help Day’s family may send donations made payable to Hope Vineyard Christian Fellowship for The Melissa Day Family to Hope Vineyard at 2037 Main St., Ramona, CA 92065.