Officials release name of Ramona man killed in Lakeside crash

The driver killed in a head-on crash in Lakeside Monday morning has been identified as Fernando Figueroa Salazar, 32, of Ramona.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Benjamin Jessop, 51, of Utah was westbound on Lake Jennings Park Road about 5 a.m. on Monday when a 2003 Dodge Dakota came over the hill on the wrong side of the road as Jessop approached the top of the hill near Jack Oak Road.

Jessop, who was driving a 2004 Dodge dually truck, swerved to the left and applied his brakes, but he was unable to avoid a collision and struck the Dakota head-on, said CHP Officer Brian Pennings.

Salazar was pronounced dead at the scene. Jessop complained of pain to his back and was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital.

The cause of the collision is under investigation, but, Pennings said, at the time of the initial report there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol.