Marine Involved in Crash That Killed Man Near Northwest Camp Pendleton

The California Highway Patrol has recommended that a 20-year-old Camp Pendleton Marine not be charged in a fatal traffic accident that occurred at approximately 4 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 5, but it's ultimately up to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, CHP spokesperson Chris Parent told Patch.

CHP officials described the Marine, identified as Aaron Dawson, as "at fault" in the chain of events that led to a car overturning and a passenger being ejected and killed on I-5 south of Las Pulgas Road near Camp Pendleton. But because Dawson returned to the scene of the accident and showed that he was willing to participate in the CHP investigation, officials believe that no formal charges will be brought against him, Parent told Patch.

The victim, identified as Ali Bourgi, 42, of Chula Vista, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

According to the CHP, Javier Machado, 51, of National City, was driving a 2003 silver Toyota Rav 4 southbound on I-5 in the fast lane at 70 mph when a 2006 Toyota Tundra swerved toward him. 

The driver of the Tundra, Karl Coffman, 58, of Oceanside, was trying to avoid a blue Nissan 350Z attempting to enter his lane. 

Dawson, the driver of the Nissan, entered the southbound I-5 on-ramp from Las Pulgas and, witnesses told the CHP, was traveling at high speed and changing lanes aggressively. The Nissan 350Z allegedly moved from the slow lane to Coffman's lane, causing Coffman to swerve toward the right side of Machado's car.

Machado saw the Toyota rapidly entering his lane from the right and swerved to the left to avoid a possible collision, according to the CHP. 

Machado entered the dirt center median where he lost control of his vehicle, which started to overturn. The right-rear passenger in Machado's car was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries.

Alicia Santiago, 50, of National City was sitting in the front-passenger seat and sustained major injuries, including several severe lacerations to her legs, a broken left ankle and a hematoma to her face. She was airlifted some 10 to 15 minutes after the crash to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, according to CHP officials.

Machado was transported to Scripps La Jolla by ambulance with minor injuries.

Dawson continued southbound, but soon returned to the collision scene and is currently being questioned as to the details of the collision, according to CHP officials.

The southbound fast lane was shut down for approximately two hours and the collision remains under investigation, the CHP reported.

An initial report incorrectly stated that the driver had been killed and that the incident only involved two cars.

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