James Allina, Rosalyn Obituary, Death – On Monday evening, a tragic multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 8 near Grossmont Center Mall claimed the lives of an elderly La Mesa couple, authorities confirmed. The victims were identified as 79-year-old James Allina and his 77-year-old wife, Rosalyn.
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, the couple was inside a stationary Toyota sedan with its lights off in the eastbound lanes of the freeway, just west of Fletcher Parkway. Shortly before 7:30 p.m., a Dodge SUV traveling in the same direction rear-ended the apparently disabled vehicle.
The collision set off a chain reaction. Moments later, a Kia sedan struck the back of the Dodge SUV. The impact of these crashes left James Allina fatally injured at the scene, despite the efforts of bystanders and paramedics who attempted to save him and his wife. Rosalyn Allina was rushed to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Emergency responders also transported the 34-year-old driver of the Dodge SUV and her 4-year-old passenger to Sharp Grossmont Hospital as a precaution. The driver of the Kia, identified as a 63-year-old woman from El Cajon, suffered minor injuries and received medical treatment.
Debris from the accident also damaged a Mercedes-Benz driven by a 30-year-old man from El Cajon, though he was not injured.
Authorities are still investigating why the Allinas’ vehicle was stopped on the freeway. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has not provided further details about the initial circumstances leading up to the crash. Officer Jasmine Lopez of the CHP confirmed that no additional vehicles were involved beyond those already reported.
The tragic accident highlights the dangers of disabled vehicles on highways, particularly at night when visibility is reduced. Investigators are working to determine whether mechanical failure, driver error, or another factor caused the Toyota sedan to stop in an active traffic lane.
As the community mourns the loss of the elderly couple, officials urge drivers to remain vigilant and cautious on the roads. They recommend that motorists experiencing vehicle trouble pull over to a safe location as quickly as possible and use hazard lights to alert other drivers.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities encourage anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
